The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is planning to set up help desks in as many participating gas stations as the government’s P10 per liter subsidy started on Tuesday, April 14.
And when that happens, the Philippine National Police (PNP) also wants to make its presence felt to ensure peace and order just in case… you know… when the summer heat would go into some public utility drivers’ head in the event of glitches such as non-inclusion in the list of beneficiaries in the LTFRB database.
Police presence is indeed reasonable because with the problems in distribution of P5,000 fuel subsidy since the past weeks, as well as the current gas and diesel prices, a visit to a gas station alone will make you lose your temper with any provocation.
This is the reason why PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. wants territorial police and support units to assist in the setting up help desks in participating gas stations, especially in Metro Manila initially where the P10/liter fuel subsidy started.
Nartatez explained that the help desks will also serve as a channel for complaints and concerns on-site, adding that the intention is to ensure real-time response to ensure the smooth implementation.
He said police units were directed to work with the DOTr, through the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and Department of Energy (DOE) for this initiative.
“Through help desks on the ground, we aim to ensure that PUV drivers and operators receive not only fuel subsidy assistance but also immediate support for their concerns as we work closely with our partner agencies for a faster and more responsive service,” Nartatez said.
The Department of Energy (DOE) began the rollout of a P10 per liter diesel discount for PUVs on Tuesday, April 14, as part of a government subsidy program designed to help ease the impact of rising fuel prices.
The program was piloted in the National Capital Region (NCR), covering 52 accredited gas stations, with 33 already enrolled and the remaining stations still processing their registration.
The program will later expand to across the country covering more PUVs and 14,000 gas stations.
Under the program, qualified PUV operators can avail of a P10 per liter discount on diesel, with a weekly cap of 150 liters or a maximum subsidy of P1,500. The unused subsidy will not carry over to the following week.
Based on the approved guideline, participating gas stations in Metro Manila, and soon nationwide, will be connected to the database of the national government through a mobile app that will list the qualified beneficiaries of the program.
The LTFRB earlier clarified that only PUVs with existing and valid franchises will be included in the database for a 150-liter ceiling every week for each of the PUV units.
Once the license plate was confirmed to be enrolled in the program, the discount will automatically apply which means that the driver will just pay the discounted price per visit to the gas station.
And this is where the problem may start as glitches may happen as to the confirmation of the list of beneficiaries, and Nartatez vowed a stronger police presence once this happens to protect gas attendants who may end up as the shock absorber of PUV drivers’ anger and frustration.
“It is part of our mandate to ensure the safe, swift, and orderly implementation of subsidy programs and to prevent scams or fraudulent activities that may only burden our kababayan,” said Nartatez.
