The government is working on guidelines for distributing fuel subsidies to sectors that may be adversely affected by potential disruptions in oil supply due to escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, according to Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon on Saturday.
Dizon announced that the government has allocated P2.5 billion for fuel subsidies. “May tulong na galing sa gobyerno. Nakaauthorize na ‘yan, pineprepare na yung guidelines para makuha nila agad-agad. P2.5 billion ang available sa atin ngayon. Malaki-laki ang hawak natin. Matatanggap nila yan,” he stated. (There is help from the government. It has already been authorized, and guidelines are being prepared to release it right away. There is P2.5 billion available for us currently. We have a significant amount. They will receive it.)
He also urged transport operators not to protest, saying, “Nananawagan ako sa mga operator natin, mga transport group, huwag naman [magprotesta]. May tutulong na parating, inutos ng Pangulo natin na immediately, ilabas ang fuel subsidy.” (I am calling on our operators and transport groups not to protest. Help is on the way, as our President has ordered that the fuel subsidy be released immediately.)
