The Fuel Subsidy or Pantawid Pasada Program, is one of the social welfare and benefits programs of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) prescribed under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. It is a program designed to provide targeted relief to the public transport sector in an attempt to ease the burden and soften the blow and the impact of the rising fuel prices on the public transport operators. It also aims to help the commuters by preventing fare hikes which would definitely burden the commuting public, particularly the most vulnerable members of the society as well as those who need to travel via public transport on a regular basis.
Under the Fuel Subsidy Program, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the LTFRB will be providing cash subsidies to ensure the uninterrupted provision of vital transportation services while preventing fare increases that could burden commuters. It has evolved since its nationwide inception in 2018, and has since expanded its scope to include tricycles and delivery services, following the recent allocation of Php 2.5 billion in the General Appropriations Act of 2022.
What is the Fuel Subsidy Program
Otherwise known as Pantawid Pasada Program, the Fuel Subsidy Program is a project designed to provide cash subsidies via the Pantawid Pasada Cards (PPC) or e-wallet as well as fuel discounts to help drivers, operators, and commuters in the public transport sector amid problems on fuel price hikes. The program itself was birthed in 2018 though it has received higher budget allocation to expand its scope in 2022. With this program, the government hopes for uninterrupted public transport service without the threat of fare hikes. There was also a plan to institutionalize the program as a more economically viable idea compared with the suspension of excise taxes on fuel which the Department of Finance (DOF) claimed to be inequitable and detrimental to the country’s economic recovery and long-term growth.
The Fuel Subsidy Program is generally a nationwide social welfare and benefits project implemented by the DOTr via the LTFRB in partnership with the Department of Energy (DOE) and Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP). These agencies has also since partnered up with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in order to systematically identify bonafide beneficiaries under their respective jurisdiction, thus ensuring a more efficient implementation of the program in all parts of the country.
Fuel Discount Programs
As part of the Fuel Subsidy program, the participating oil companies offer various fuel discount programs aimed at further easing the financial strain on transport operators. From e-raffle ticket promotions to exclusive discounts for specific demographics such as FoodPanda riders and SecurityBank card holders, these initiatives provide additional avenues for savings on fuel expenditure.
Some of the ongoing fuel discount programs also available at participating oil companies under the Fuel Subsidy Program are as follows:
- Total Philippines Corporation
- Extreme Gas Pabigas Promo
- Local Promotion/Discounting including PUVs
- SEAOIL Philippines Inc.
- Lubricants Promo
- Happy Hour Promo
- Pricelocq App
- VIP Payday Promo
- Ka-Panda Gasolinahan
- Security Bank x Pricelocq Promo
- Tsuper Duper Discounts
- Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp.
- TNVS (Transport Network Vehicle Service) Discount
- Shell Discount Lane for PUVs and TODAs
- Chevron Philippines Inc.
- Caltex PUJ Discounts
- JETTI Petroleum, Inc.
- PUV/PUJ Discount
- PTT Pilipinas Corp.
- PUV/PUJ Discount
Program Objectives and Benefits
The primary goals of the Pantawid Pasada Program are threefold:
- to offer fuel cash subsidies to affected operators,
- maintain the continuity of public transport services,
- forestall fare hikes resulting from soaring fuel costs.
By achieving these objectives, the program not only provides immediate relief to operators but also ensures the sustainability of the public transportation ecosystem, benefiting commuters and the economy at large.
How to Avail of the Benefits of the Fuel Subsidy Program
There are different procedures to avail of the fuel subsidy, as long as you are one of the eligible beneficiaries of the program.
- Those who already have a PPC will get the fuel subsidy directly to their account.
- Others will get the subsidy through an e-wallet.
Note: If you’re covered by the LTFRB but don’t have a PPC yet, you can get your PPC by following the steps listed here.
Requirements
Before initiating the process, you need to make sure that you have the documentary requirements ready. Please check this list for more information:
- One (1) Valid Government-issued ID of the franchise holder;
- Original Copy of the Official Receipt and Certificate of Registration (OR/CR), or Certified True Copy of the OR/CR if the vehicle is under the bank, or Original Copy of Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC); and
- Duly signed Deed of Undertaking (DOU) which can be downloaded through the links below:
a. DOU for Individual Operators
b. DOU for Corporations or Cooperatives
Procedures
For beneficiaries who are yet to get their PPC, the process is quite straightforward. Simply start by verifying eligibility and identifying the designated Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) branch. Prepare to present the requisite documents, then submit them along with the appropriate Deed of Undertaking (DOU).
For a more detailed guide, please follow the following steps to get the subsidy immediately:
Step 1. Use this link to check your name and the Landbank of the Philippines (LBP) branch where you can get your PPC: https://ltfrb.gov.ph/?p=10124.
Step 2. Bring the necessary documents to your designated LBP branch to prove that you are a qualified beneficiary for the Fuel Subsidy Program.
Step 3. Fill out the form with all your information and submit it to your LTFRB office using these email addresses:
- Central Office: ismd@ltfrb.gov.ph
- NCR: ncr@ltfrb.gov.ph
- RFRO 1: r1@ltfrb.gov.ph
- RFRO 2: r2@ltfrb.gov.ph
- RFRO 3: r3@ltfrb.gov.ph
- RFRO 4: r4@ltfrb.gov.ph
- RFRO 5: r5@ltfrb.gov.ph
- RFRO 6: r6@ltfrb.gov.ph
- RFRO 7: r7@ltfrb.gov.ph
- RFRO 8: r8@ltfrb.gov.ph
- RFRO 9: r9@ltfrb.gov.ph
- RFRO 10: r10@ltfrb.gov.ph
- RFRO 11: r11@ltfrb.gov.ph
- RFRO 12: r12@ltfrb.gov.ph
- RFRO CAR: car@ltfrb.gov.ph
- RFRO CARAGA: caraga@ltfrb.gov.ph
Step 4. Wait for the confirmation email to be sent by the LTFRB Office before visiting the LBP branch.
Step 5. If there’s a mistake in the LBP info that doesn’t match the franchise holder’s CPC, simply show a Certificate of Discrepancy from the LTFRB.
Step 6. If you can’t pick up your PPC at the designated LBP branch, you can send someone else as your authorized representative. Just make sure they bring along these required documents:
- Notarized Special Power of Attorney (SPA) from the CPC holder authorizing his representative to sign the documents including the Deed of Undertaking and the acquisition of the PPC itself.
- If the CPC holder is not in the country, an authenticated SPA with a red ribbon must be submitted.
Note: In the same SPA, it must be endorsed by the LTFRB or the concerned department;
- One (1) Valid Government-issued ID of the franchise holder;
- One (1) Valid Government-issued ID of the representative of the CPC holder;
- Photocopy of the required IDs with three (3) signatures, except for CPC holders who are currently abroad;
- 1×1 photo of the CPC holder with three (3) signatures, except for CPC holders who are currently abroad;
- Original Copy of the Official Receipt and Certificate of Re1gistration (OR/CR), or
- Certified True Copy of OR/CR if the vehicle is under the bank;
- Original Copy of Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC)
- If the CPC holder died during the implementation of the program, the representative/beneficiary shall submit the following documents:
- Extrajudicial Settlement with Waiver of Rights/Affidavit of Self-adjudication
- Death Certificate
- Endorsement from the LTFRB
Note: The documents brought and submitted to the LBP by the beneficiary’s representative will be checked by the LTFRB. They’ll give an endorsement to show the documents are valid for the Fuel Subsidy Program. Breaking the rules or being dishonest in the process might make you lose the subsidy.
Video: Pantawid Pasada Program for Tricycle Drivers
To learn more about the evolved Pantawid Pasada Program specifically for tricycle drivers, you may watch this explainer video from DILG Central Luzon:
Summary
The LTFRB Fuel Subsidy Program, embodied in the Pantawid Pasada Program, serves as a vital lifeline for public transport operators grappling with the impact of escalating fuel prices. With its clear objectives, streamlined procedures, and supplementary fuel discount programs from oil companies, the initiative stands as a much-welcomed form of support for the land transport industry. As an integral part of the nation’s mobility and economy, the program definitely plays a huge role in providing relief to the operators and in ensuring the sustainability of the public transportation ecosystem, for the sake of the commuters and the economy at large.
Contact Information
For more information or questions regarding the Fuel Subsidy Program, you can call the LTFRB 24/7 Hotline at 1342 or just send a message to the LTFRB Official Facebook page or go to the LTFRB official website.
You may also reach out to LTFRB via the following contact information:
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Public Assistance Complaint Desk (PACD)
Office Address: LTFRB Central Office, Brgy. Pinyahan, East Avenue, Quezon City
Email Address: pacd@ltfrb.gov.ph, complaints@ltfrb.gov.ph
Facebook: fb.com/ltfrb.central.ph
24/7 Hotline: 1342