TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — Public utility jeepney and UV Express drivers in Eastern Visayas are getting additional breathing room at the fuel pump after the Marcos administration increased the government’s fuel discount to ₱12 per liter, but the relief comes as transport workers continue to warn that high operating costs are eating deeply into their daily income.
The expanded discount took effect on August 15, 2026, raising the previous government assistance of ₱10 per liter by another ₱2.
Under the program, qualified public utility jeepney and UV Express operators may purchase up to 150 liters of discounted fuel per week.
That translates to potential savings of as much as ₱1,800 every week, or roughly ₱7,200 over four weeks for drivers who are able to maximize the full fuel allocation.
For drivers whose earnings can rise or fall depending on pump prices, that amount can make an immediate difference.
More Than 143,000 PUV Units Enrolled
The Philippine Information Agency reported that more than 143,000 public utility jeepney and UV Express units nationwide are enrolled in the fuel discount program, with the assistance now available through thousands of participating fuel stations.
The expansion is particularly significant in regions such as Eastern Visayas, where jeepneys and UV Express vehicles remain essential links between cities, municipalities and rural communities.
LTFRB Eastern Visayas Regional Director Gualberto Gualberto said the agency had actually pushed for a much larger discount.
“We were actually pushing for a P20-per-liter fuel discount, however, only P12 was approved. We have to make do with that for now,” Gualberto said, according to PIA.
The statement highlights an important part of the story: ₱12 was not the original amount transport regulators had been discussing.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board had earlier proposed increasing the subsidy to as much as ₱20 per liter for one month as fuel costs surged.
Reports indicated that such a proposal could have required billions of pesos in government funding.
Instead, the administration approved the smaller increase to ₱12.
Program Has Already Cost Government More Than ₱400 Million
The fuel discount program began in April with a ₱10-per-liter subsidy as part of government efforts to protect the transport sector from sharp fluctuations in international petroleum prices.
By early August, government records showed that cumulative fuel assistance had already exceeded ₱403 million, surpassing an earlier ₱400-million program allocation.
Officials later said the program would no longer operate under a fixed expiration date and would instead be reviewed regularly depending on oil market conditions and the continuing needs of the transport sector.
The program is jointly implemented by agencies including the Department of Energy, Department of Transportation, LTFRB and Landbank.
From 938 Stations to Thousands Nationwide
Access has also expanded significantly.
In May, the Philippine News Agency reported that only 938 gasoline stations were participating in the subsidy program.
By late July, the number had increased to 2,745 participating stations, according to government data.
An August 10 PIA report later put the number of actively participating stations at more than 3,100, while the latest August 21 Eastern Visayas report said assistance is now accessible through more than 5,000 fuel stations nationwide.
That expansion matters because one of the strongest complaints from drivers has been that a subsidy is useful only if there is a participating station within reasonable distance of their routes.
MANIBELA: Fuel Discount Is Welcome, But It Is Not Enough
Not all transport groups believe the higher subsidy solves the industry’s problems.
MANIBELA welcomed the increase but said the discount should not be treated as a replacement for its long-running demand for a fare increase.
The group has argued that drivers need a more permanent way of recovering rising operating costs, particularly when fuel prices remain unpredictable.
MANIBELA also previously raised concerns over the limited number of accredited gasoline stations, saying some drivers were still forced to buy fuel at regular prices because participating outlets were not conveniently located.
Malacañang responded by saying the government was working to expand coverage and address gaps in participating fuel stations.
Some Transport Groups Called Off Planned Strike
The additional ₱2 discount also had an immediate political impact.
Six transport organizations—including Pasang Masda, FEJODAP, ALTODAP, BUSINA, ACTO and Stop and Go—called off their planned August 10 transport strike following talks with the Department of Transportation.
The groups said the higher fuel subsidy was among the measures that helped convince them to withdraw from the protest.
The government also discussed other forms of assistance, including possible support for operators dealing with amortization obligations under the Public Transport Modernization Program.
Why Fuel Prices Remain a Major Risk for Drivers
Fuel is one of the biggest daily expenses faced by jeepney and UV Express operators.
Unlike salaried workers, drivers often calculate their take-home income only after deducting fuel, boundary or vehicle-related payments, maintenance, food and other daily expenses.
A sudden increase in diesel prices can therefore reduce their income almost immediately.
The Marcos administration has linked its subsidy measures to instability in international oil markets and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which have repeatedly affected global petroleum prices.
The government has also stressed that because the Philippine downstream oil industry is deregulated, authorities cannot simply dictate retail pump prices.
That leaves subsidies, targeted discounts and other forms of financial assistance as some of the government’s principal tools for cushioning transport workers from sudden oil-price shocks.
Relief Today, But the Bigger Question Remains
For Eastern Visayas drivers, the ₱12-per-liter discount provides measurable relief.
A driver who uses the full 150-liter weekly allowance can keep as much as ₱1,800 that would otherwise go toward fuel.
But the debate is far from finished.
Transport groups continue to push for measures that they say would provide more lasting protection—including higher fares, wider fuel-station access and stronger support for operators facing increasing costs.
The government’s decision to approve ₱12 instead of the proposed ₱20 also shows the balancing act facing policymakers: every additional peso of subsidy means more relief for drivers, but also a significantly larger burden on public funds.
For now, thousands of drivers may be paying less at the pump.
The bigger test is whether that discount can keep pace if international oil prices begin climbing again.
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