Photo courtesy of PNA.
BACOLOD CITY – The Department of Energy (DOE) is calling on more liquid fuel retail outlets (LFROs) in Negros Occidental, including this highly urbanized city, to participate in the fuel subsidy program (FSP) to allow public utility jeepney and utility vehicle express drivers to claim their fuel benefits.
As of June 1, only 48 out of the estimated 500 LFROs or stations in Negros Occidental have registered to participate in the FSP.
Engr. Jose Rey Maleza, chief of the DOE-Visayas Energy Industry Management Division, said on Wednesday all registered LFROs nationwide are mandated to take part in the program.
“This is mandatory for all, there’s no exemption. The Land Bank of the Philippines has already issued a station code for each retail outlet,” he added.
Maleza discussed the developments on the FSP implementation via Zoom during the Negros Occidental Consumer Network Meeting organized by the Department of Trade and Industry-Negros Occidental at Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod.
Under the FSP, eligible public utility jeepney and utility vehicle express drivers can claim PHP10 per liter subsidy as part of the government’s targeted response to global oil market volatility, following the declaration of a state of national energy emergency under Executive Order 110.
In the Landbank mobile banking app, gas station personnel can enter the station code, plate number, liters dispensed and pump amount, which the platform checks in real-time against the validated list of authorized public utility vehicles and fuel stations.
Once the details are confirmed, the system applies the PHP10 per liter subsidy and updates the vehicle’s weekly limit.
In its reminder, the DOE central office said the LFROs should comply with all operational, technical and reporting requirements such as enrollment and onboarding in the program, acceptance and processing of fuel subsidy transactions for qualified PUV beneficiaries, installation and maintenance of the required systems, signages and designated FSP lanes, and compliance with reporting, validation, and monitoring requirements. (PNA)