TAGUIG CITY—Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi yesterday (24 November) signed the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) and the Implementing Guidelines of the Fuel Subsidy Program, also known as the “Pantawid Pasada Program.” The signing was held in a virtual ceremony streamed by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in its official Facebook page.
“We at the Department of Energy welcome today’s signing of the Joint Memorandum Circular on the Implementation of the Fuel Subsidy Program. A product of our collective efforts, the Pantawid Pasada Program would once again extend much-needed assistance to legitimate Public Utility Jeepney and Filcab franchise holders,” Secretary Cusi said in his message, which was delivered by Senior Undersecretary Jesus Cristino P. Posadas on his behalf.
The Pantawid Pasada Program will be granting fuel subsidies to legitimate Public Utility Jeepney and Filcab franchise holders or operators with valid LTFRB franchises until 31 December 2021.
Eligible beneficiaries will be issued Fuel Subsidy Cards or Pantawid Pasada Cards, which would be used to pay for their fuel in participating gasoline stations nationwide. Each card would be loaded with a fixed subsidy amount to be determined in a succeeding issuance.
Under the JMC, the DOE will be responsible for coordinating with oil companies for the Program’s implementation, as well as in the provision of pertinent data and information on the gasoline stations.
In his remarks, the Energy chief also expressed his appreciation to those oil companies that immediately participated in the Pantawid Pasada Program despite “being victims of the current global health crisis” themselves.
“We are taking this opportunity to call on the other players of our liquid fuels industry to join Pantawid Pasada so we may strengthen transport sector support during these unprecedented times,” he added.
Other signatories to the JMC include the Department of Transportation, which is the Program’s lead agency; the Department of Budget Management; the LTFRB; and the Landbank of the Philippines.
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