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Jeepneys whose drivers have opted to stop operating to seek alternative sources of income amid rising fuel prices, as seen at a protest in Baclaran, Parañaque City on April 7, 2026.
The STAR / Edd Gumban
MANILA, Philippines — The government will begin a pilot rollout of its P10-per-liter fuel subsidy for public utility jeepneys in Metro Manila on Tuesday, April 14, with 52 gas stations accredited to participate.
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the program, first announced by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last week, will initially cover jeepney drivers before expanding to other public utility vehicles.
“The system needs to be tested if it will work,” Garin said in an interview with dzBB. “We will be testing for a week here in Metro Manila. After that, we will roll out to public utility vehicles, meaning buses, jeeps and transport network vehicle services.”
The subsidy will run for three months, with drivers allowed to claim discounts of up to 150 liters per week, equivalent to savings of as much as P1,500.
Garin said the cap reflects the average weekly fuel consumption of public utility drivers and is meant to prevent abuse.
“We need to control it because, other than the budget of the government, we also have what we call safety nets. Some might take advantage of the situation and sell gas to others; that’s why we need 150 liters, depending on what jeepneys are consuming,” she said.
Citing data from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Garin said about 18,000 jeepney drivers are expected to benefit from the pilot program.
Rollback, strike expected. The subsidy rollout comes as fuel prices are projected to decline this week following weeks of sharp increases driven by tensions in the Middle East.
Garin said diesel prices could drop by at least P20.89 per liter, while gasoline and kerosene may fall by no less than P4.43 and P8.50 per liter, respectively.
Transport group Manibela, which is similarly protesting what they perceive as government's slow response in failing to suspend fuel taxes early, has announced a strike this week, on April 14 to 15. — with reports from Jean Mangaluz and The STAR
