The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board inspected fuel stations in Metro Manila as the expanded Php 12-per-liter fuel discount for jeepney and UV Express operators began nationwide.
LTFRB Chair Vigor Mendoza said the inspections were conducted to check whether participating stations were applying the subsidy correctly and to identify problems affecting drivers or fuel retailers.
He said regional franchising offices were also directed to monitor implementation in their respective areas and report issues that required immediate action.
During the Metro Manila inspections, eight of the 10 fuel stations visited were already granting the Php 12-per-liter discount, while no major implementation concerns had been reported.
The subsidy had been raised from Php 10 to Php 12 per liter as part of government support for the public transport sector.
Mendoza said some drivers could receive even bigger savings because certain fuel stations offered separate loyalty discounts of up to Php 5 per liter, potentially bringing the total reduction to Php 17 per liter.
More than 143,000 jeepney and UV Express units had been enrolled in the program through over 5,000 participating fuel stations nationwide. Qualified operators could avail themselves of discounted fuel for up to 150 liters per week, equivalent to about Php 1,800 in weekly savings from the government subsidy alone.
The LTFRB said it would continue monitoring the program and coordinate with LandBank, the Department of Transportation and the Department of Energy to ensure smooth implementation and timely payment to participating fuel stations.