The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the announcement of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) of the approved P1-billion fuel subsidy for public utility jeepney (PUJ) sector to aid their operating expenses amid the rising prices of fuel.

To be disbursed under LTFRB’s Pantawid Pasada Program, the funds shall be distributed through the operators and franchise holders in the form of Pantawid Pasada Cards, which can then be used as a mode of payment in participating gas stations in order to prevent PUJ drivers from having to deduct fuel costs from their daily income. For consecutive weeks, prices of gasoline, diesel, and kerosene have increased consistently.

PUJ drivers are among the sectors that are disproportionately impacted by the pandemic since its initial phase till now that we are already in the second year. The series of lockdowns and limited transport routes and seating capacity severely diminished their income and pushed them deeper into poverty. Many drivers have resorted to begging to make ends meet.

The CHR is hopeful that this intervention will enable PUJ drivers to continue making a decent living without having to sacrifice a huge portion of their earnings on their fuel. Considering their compounded vulnerability, the Commission also supports the plan to explore ways to disburse the subsidy directly to driver-beneficiaries instead of having to go through operators.

The PUJ drivers are just starting to get back on their feet given that restrictions have been relaxed only recently. CHR, therefore, recommends the sustained provision of holistic support, which includes assistance for food, health, and nutrition, to ensure that they can steadily move forward from the huge blows of the crisis.

CHR notes the LTFRB’s reassurance that there will be similar programs to be launched for other modes of transport to ensure that no individual in the transportation sector will be left behind. We are also hopeful that the subsidy program will be swiftly implemented given the urgency of the plight of PUJ drivers. Further, the Commission equally expects utmost transparency in the implementation to ensure that PUJ drivers will truly benefit from the program towards the upliftment of their quality of life and dignity. ###