The Philippine Online Chronicles

Admitting that the government’s “Pantawid Pasada” as not sustainable, President Benigno Aquino III is said to soon unveil a fuel aid package for the transport sector next week amid the spiraling prices of oil and petroleum products.

Manila Standard Today reported that the President had already directed his economic team to think of measures other than the Pantawid Pasada fuel subsidy for jeepney drivers.

Energy Secretary Rene Almendras said on Friday, “Pantawid Pasada is only a cushioning and that is not a sustainable one. We are looking at what’s the best way for government to help them.”

The Pantawid Pasada is said to have benefited 95,000 jeepney drivers.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Aquino is willing to meet with transport leaders for another dialog on the possible measures to address the increasing fuel prices.

“I understand we are continuing the dialogue with transport groups. We are also revising the list of who will be entitled to the (Pantawid Pasada) program. The assistance package will be finalized on Wednesday. The economic cluster is meeting regularly. I am just waiting for their report not only for the transport sector but also the effects of the prices on basic goods, how can we help mitigate the high prices,” Aquino said.

According to deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, the Aquino “expects the completion (of the package) hopefully by Wednesday.”

“So let us see because what we want is that before the President meets the transport groups, we will already have the package," she added.

"The economic cluster is still discussing. I am waiting for their report because this does not just concern the transport sector but also the prices of commodities," the President said.

Reportedly included in the package is efficient coverage of beneficiaries and retooling diesel jeepney to run on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

On the other hand, Transportation and Communications Secretary Manuel Roxas said, “Since the engine conversion can cost somewhere around P300,000, the jeepney operators will be hard-pressed to pay this amount if no savings can be realized in the first place.” He explained that the conversion to LPG is costlier for jeepneys than taxis (which has already been implementing conversions) because the latter runs on gasoline and only needs a conversion kit.

“I think the transport group leaders understand this. We will not rush into alternative fuels. It has to make sense in terms of fuel economy,” he added.

Besides not being sustainable, the President said there had been problems in administering the Pantawid Pasada.

"There was difficulty in tallying the number of franchise-holders and non-franshise-holders. We made several announcements for the franchise-holders to collect their cards, but they didn’t show up to claim them. It appears we need to revise the list of those entitled," he said, explaining that the data from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Land Transport Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) did not match.

According to Manila Standard Today, oil companies had already raise oil prices four times since the start of the year.

Transport groups have already asked the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to grant their application to increase the minimum jeepney fare from P8 to P10.

Last week, militant transport group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) urged Aquino to intervene and find ways to tame oil prices.

“If oil price hikes continue and government does not interfere, we will launch a strike. Let this serve as a stern warning to the government to once and for all remedy the situation of the public transport sector,” George San Mateo of PISTON said.