The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Saturday said it is set to conduct another round of financial assistance to support affected drivers amid the oil price hikes.
The DOTr said it agreed to provide another targeted financial aid through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
It said that the program will cover qualified transport operators and drivers.
The agency did not provide further details on the planned assistance program.
This move comes as the proposed fare adjustment for public utility vehicles (PUVs) was brought up during a meeting with the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food and Transport (UPLIFT) Committee last Thursday, Sept. 17.
‘The proposed fare adjustment for public utility vehicles (PUVs) was among the matters discussed, and we hope to arrive at a positive decision in the coming days,’ DOTr noted.
It added that other efforts to address the impact of rising fuel and operating costs to the transport sector were also discussed.
Jetti Petroleum, a local oil company, previously announced that diesel prices might increase between P10 and P10.50 per liter.
The DOTr maintained that toll exemptions for provincial buses and terminal fee waiver at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange will continue to help the affected PUVs drivers and operators, as well as commuters.
The agency also cited the continued monthly membership waiver at SM public transport terminals and the 50% fare discount on Manila Metro Rail Transit Line-3 and Light Rail Transit Line-2.