The Manila Times
MANILA, Philippines -- The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said it distributed around P10 million in fuel subsidies to taxi drivers on Friday, the first day of a two-day payout, describing the rollout as “peaceful and orderly” while warning against fraudulent claims. In a statement, LTFRB Chairman Vigor Mendoza II said approximately 2,000 taxi drivers received P5,000 each after claiming their subsidy at designated distribution points, including the central offices of the LTFRB and the Land Transportation Office (LTO). The subsidy forms part of the national government’s broader assistance program for the public transport sector, with nearly P98 million initially allocated for taxi drivers nationwide. With the additional P10 million disbursed on Friday, total funds released for the sector have exceeded P108 million so far, the agency said. Mendoza, however, cautioned drivers against attempting to claim the subsidy more than once after 10 individuals were flagged for alleged double claims during the first day of distribution. “We are sending this warning that once any taxi driver is caught, we will request the LTO to revoke his driver’s license,” Mendoza said. Despite the incident, the LTFRB maintained that the overall distribution process remained orderly and efficient. The agency expects more drivers to claim their subsidies on the second and final day of distribution in Metro Manila on Saturday, April 25. The LTFRB said it has intensified monitoring measures to allow for real-time intervention in case of issues during the payout. Mendoza also assured that the agency would continue the distribution process until all intended beneficiaries have received their assistance. The fuel subsidy program aims to cushion the impact of rising fuel costs on public utility drivers and operators.
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