In a significant development for the transport sector, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-Davao Region (LTFRB-Davao) has confirmed that approximately 20,000 drivers and operators across the region are poised to receive crucial fuel subsidies from the government. This announcement comes amidst ongoing transport operations, as seen in a file photo from March 27, 2026, where jeepney drivers continued their services at Matina Crossing in Davao City despite a declared transport strike.
Subsidy Distribution Details
Nonito Llanos III, the LTFRB-Davao regional director, provided comprehensive figures, revealing that out of the 20,608 total beneficiaries, 13,636 are operators and 6,972 are drivers. The list of eligible recipients has already been forwarded to the central office and is currently undergoing validation and cleanlisting processes. The overall subsidy budget is substantial, amounting to approximately P81,250,500, with P24,055,000 allocated for drivers and P57,195,500 designated for operators.
Recipient Categories and Amounts
Under the proposed fuel subsidy scheme, the amounts vary significantly based on the type of vehicle and role. Drivers of traditional Public Utility Jeepneys (PUJs), modern PUJs, and filcabs are set to receive P1,500 each. In contrast, taxi drivers, Public Utility Bus (PUB) drivers, Traditional Utility Van Express (TUVE) drivers, Modern Utility Van Express (MUVE) drivers, and school transport drivers will benefit from a higher subsidy of P5,000 each.
On the operator side, those managing PUJs, modern PUJs, filcabs, TUVE, and school transport units will receive P5,000 per unit. Operators of modern PUJs, PUBs, and MUVEs are entitled to P10,000 per unit. Additionally, operators of Transport Network Vehicle Services will be granted P1,500 per unit, ensuring a broad coverage across different transport modes.
Implementation Challenges and Progress
Llanos noted that beneficiaries who already possess Pantawid Pasada Program (PPP) cards have started receiving their fuel subsidies, as they have existing LandBank accounts. However, a delay has been reported due to a system glitch at LandBank, attributed to the overwhelming volume of data being processed. For those without PPP cards, the office is awaiting the validated official list from the central office before the subsidies can be downloaded to their e-wallets.
Equitable Distribution Efforts
Explaining the rationale behind the varying subsidy amounts, Llanos highlighted that some PUJ drivers are already covered by the Cash Relief Assistance (CRA) program under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). To ensure fair distribution of government funds, these drivers will receive a reduced amount of P1,500 under the fuel subsidy, as they have already benefited from DSWD's Aid to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS).
This approach aims to prevent duplication and promote equity, as emphasized by Llanos during the Kapehan sa Dabaw event held on Monday, April 13, 2026, at SM City Davao. Meanwhile, in Davao Region, DSWD-Davao has initiated the distribution of the CRA, worth P5,000 each, to tricycle drivers in major cities, with plans to extend it to drivers in municipalities soon.
The fuel subsidy initiative represents a critical support measure for the transport sector, addressing financial pressures while ensuring that aid is allocated fairly across different beneficiary groups. As the validation process concludes, thousands of drivers and operators in Davao await the timely disbursement of these much-needed funds to sustain their livelihoods and services.
