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Fuel subsidy to be released once crude oil hits $80/barrel —Dizon
Fuel subsidy to be released once crude oil hits $80/barrel —Dizon

GMA Network

time26-06-2025

  • Business
  • GMA Network

Fuel subsidy to be released once crude oil hits $80/barrel —Dizon

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon on Thursday said the government is ready to grant fuel subsidies to over 1.1 million bus, jeepney, tricycle, and ride-hailing application drivers once global crude oil prices surpass the $80 per barrel threshold amid the Israel-Iran conflict. At a Palace press briefing, Dizon said the Marcos administration is 'fully prepared' to implement the Fuel Subsidy Program (FSP) for the public transport sector, in accordance with the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA). The Transport chief said a total of P2.5 billion has been earmarked under the 2025 GAA for the FSP, while an additional P617 million remains available from the 2024 budget. The FSP will benefit an estimated 1,132,407 individuals, including 258,712 Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers, 723,695 tricycle drivers, and 150,000 ride-hailing application drivers. The fuel subsidy will be disbursed through multiple channels to ensure fast and efficient distribution, such as existing Pantawid Pasada or fuel cards, registered e-wallets (GCash and Maya), bank-to-bank transfers, and cash distribution through the Land Bank of the Philippines. Dizon said crude oil prices have reached $78 per barrel in the past few days, which was still below the required threshold under the 2025 GAA. 'The government continues to monitor global prices closely and will act promptly should the US$80 mark be breached,' Dizon said. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said that there was no need to implement the FSP yet, though he assured the public that 'the government is ready to protect the livelihood of transport workers and ensure they receive timely support in the face of rising fuel costs due to the conflict between Israel and Iran.' Department of Energy officer-in-charge Sharon Garin also said that the government's fuel subsidy program might not be activated yet, as crude oil prices have not breached the $80 per barrel threshold. — VBL, GMA Integrated News

DOTr: Franchise consolidation not required in receiving fuel subsidy
DOTr: Franchise consolidation not required in receiving fuel subsidy

GMA Network

time24-06-2025

  • Automotive
  • GMA Network

DOTr: Franchise consolidation not required in receiving fuel subsidy

Public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers who have not yet joined or formed a cooperative through franchise consolidation under the PUV Modernization Program are entitled to receive fuel subsidy from the government to ease their burden amid the spike in fuel prices due to the Iran-Israel conflict in the Middle East, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Tuesday. 'Hindi kailangang consolidated na ang mga driver o operator para makatanggap ng fuel subsidy. Gusto ng pamahalaang maging inklusibo ang programa lalo't buong sektor ay mararamdaman ang epekto ng pagtaas ng krudo —consolidated man o hindi,' the DOTr said in a statement. (It is not a prerequisite for a driver or operator to be consolidated to receive fuel subsidy. The government wants to make the program inclusive since the entire sector will bear the brunt of the hike in crude prices —consolidated or not.) Fuel subsidy The DOTr earlier said it is looking to immediately release the fuel subsidy for operators and drivers of public utility vehicles when a sizeable oil price hike takes effect in the country. The fuel subsidy will be released through the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), with guidelines now being finalized. Under the 2025 General Appropriations Act, the P2.5 billion budget allocated for the public transport sector's fuel subsidy will be released once the average price of crude oil breaches the $80 per barrel threshold. As of June 23, the average price of Dubai crude oil stands at $75.16 per barrel, according to the Department of Energy (DOE). The DOTr said, along with the LTFRB, it is ready to distribute the fuel subsidy to PUV drivers and operators in accordance with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to immediately ease the burden of sectors to be affected by sudden spikes in fuel prices. Under the previous 'Pantawid Pasada' program, operators and drivers of Modern Public Utility Jeepney (MPUJ) and Modern UV Express (MUVE) received P10,500, while traditional PUJs, UV Express, Minibus, Public Utility Bus received P5,000. Those in the Transportation Network Vehicle Service (TNVS), Taxi, Tourist Transport Services, Shuttle Services, School Transport were entitled to a P4,500 fuel subsidy. Delivery services riders and tricycle drivers were granted P2,500 and P1,100 subsidies, respectively. Marcos, last Wednesday, said fuel subsidies would be given as oil prices are expected to rise given the heightened tensions between Israel and Iran. 'Kasalukuyang nakikipag-ugnayan ang DOTr at LTFRB sa iban ahensiya ng pamahalaan gaya ng Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), at Landbank of the Philippines (LBP) upang mapabilis ang pamamahagi ng ayuda para sa mga driver at operator,' the Transportation Department said. (The DOTr and LTFRB are currently in coordination with other agencies such as the Department of Energy, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), at Landbank of the Philippines (LBP) to fast track the disbursement of the fuel subsidy for drivers and operators.) 'Inaasahang ilalabas ang subsidiya sa lalong madaling panahon ayon sa utos ng Pangulo na madaliin ang distribution nito,' it said. (The fuel subsidy will be released as soon as possible pursuant to the President's order to fast track its disbursement.) To ease the burden of motorists, fuel retailers have agreed to stagger the big-time hike in petroleum prices. Major petroleum firms hiked the prices per liter of gasoline by P1.75, diesel by P2.60, and kerosene by P2.40, effective 6 a.m. on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. The same price hikes will be implemented at 6 a.m. on Thursday, June 26, reflecting the second tranche of adjustments. Apart from the P2.5 billion fuel subsidy for the public transport sector, the 2025 national budget also allocated P150 million in fuel subsidy for farm and fisheries sectors at P75 million each once the crude oil price breaches the threshold. — RSJ, GMA Inegrated News

Advocacy groups file SC petition vs. PhilHealth zero subsidy in 2025 budget
Advocacy groups file SC petition vs. PhilHealth zero subsidy in 2025 budget

GMA Network

time13-06-2025

  • Health
  • GMA Network

Advocacy groups file SC petition vs. PhilHealth zero subsidy in 2025 budget

Several health advocacy groups on Friday filed a petition with the Supreme Court questioning the zero subsidy for state insurer Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) in the 2025 national budget. Among the petitioners are Social Watch Philippines, Medical Action Group, Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa, National Public Workers Congress, Center for Migrant Advocacy Philippines, Inc., and Likhaan Center for Women's Health. The groups argued that the absence of funding for the state health insurer under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) is unconstitutional. "Unfortunately, Congress and the Executive brushed off the intent and plain language of the laws earmarking funds for UHC (Universal Health Care). Even while the UHC had yet to be fully implemented, Congress failed to fully allocate PhilHealth's share of sin taxes, and the Executive failed to remit to PhilHealth its mandated share of PAGCOR and PCSO revenues, in clear contravention of the Constitution, the UHCA, and Sin Tax Laws," the 58-page petition read. "All these actions and inaction weaken UHC's sustainable financing and push us back from achieving healthcare for all.... Petitioners seek to change this sad state of affairs and save people's lives by asking the Supreme Court to compel Congress and the Executive to perform their mandate and follow the letter and spirit of the law," it added. The decision to slash PhilHealth's subsidy stems from the state insurer's P600-billion reserve funds, as disclosed by Senate Finance Committee chairperson Grace Poe during the bicameral conference committee meeting on the 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB). Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero had cited PhilHealth's lapses as the reason behind the removal of its subsidy. This comes after controversies surrounding PhilHealth's transfer of P89.9 billion in excess funds to the national treasury. The petitioners pray that the SC will order the automatic appropriation of the sin tax share for PhilHealth. The petition also asks for the respondents to implement the quarterly remittance of the PAGCOR and PCSO UHC shares to the state health insurer. Further, the petitioners also seek that the Bureau of the Treasury will create special accounts in the general fund to ensure that the sin tax share, PAGCOR UHC share, and PCSO UHC share are fully remitted to PhilHealth. Aside from PhilHealth, the respondents in the petition are Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Escudero, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, the Department of Finance, Bureau of the Treasury, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Health, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. Last February, health advocate Dr. Tony Leachon also filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the implementation of the 2025 national budget, citing the absence of funding for PhilHealth. — VDV, GMA Integrated News

DBM approves additional P1,000 pay for poll workers

GMA Network

time19-05-2025

  • Politics
  • GMA Network

DBM approves additional P1,000 pay for poll workers

Members of the Board of Election Inspectors receive the automated counting machines and ballot boxes being distributed at the Nemesio Yabut Elementary School in Makati City early on Monday, May 12, 2025 for Eleksyon 2025. Tina Panganiban-Perez/GMA Integrated News/File photo The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Monday announced that it has approved an additional P1,000 across-the-board honoraria for teachers and other poll workers who served during the May 12 national and local elections. Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said that the DBM authorized the release of P758.459 million to cover the budgetary requirement for the additional P1,000 allowance of the electoral board, in compliance with the directive of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. This was on top of the P2,000 across-the-board compensation initially authorized by the DBM, funded under the 2025 General Appropriations Act. 'Nakikinig po tayo, lalo na sa hinaing ng ating mga guro na karamihan po, inabot pa ng madaling araw o hindi na natulog para siguraduhing bawat boto natin ay mabibilang nang tama at mapoprotektahan,' Pangandaman said in a statement. (We are listening, especially to the complaints of our teachers—most of them were still working past midnight or were not able to sleep just to ensure that our votes would be protected and be counted correctly.) 'That's the least we can do to honor their invaluable service. 'Yan po ay isang paraan ng ating pasasalamat sa kanila [this is our way of thanking them],' she added. Education Secretary Sonny Angara, meanwhile, expressed gratitude for the additional compensation, emphasizing its benefit to thousands of public school teachers and staff who served long hours before and during the elections. He also pointed out how the record 81.65% voter turnout this year reflected the hard work of the teachers and personnel. 'More than a financial relief, this additional allowance is symbolic of the country's respect for teachers as guardians of democracy,' Angara said in a separate statement. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) estimated the total number of poll workers for the recently concluded midterm polls at 758,549—majority of whom are public school teachers. Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia said Friday that the poll body is targeting to complete the payment for teachers at least less than ten days after the May 12 Election Day. —KG, GMA Integrated News For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.

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