The Department of Energy has confirmed that the fuel subsidy program for jeepney and UV Express drivers will continue through the end of the year. Speaking with press, DOE secretary Sharon Garin mentioned that “as long as we have funds and the government can still pay for it,” the subsidy will continue to be offered.
The subsidy was originally planned to run until the end of July this year, but stalled diplomacy in the Middle East has led to the fuel crisis dragging on longer than expected. Public transport drivers are particularly vulnerable to volatile fuel prices, as refueling costs eat into their daily earnings.
The DOE’s confirmation of the program’s validity for the rest of 2026 comes after a P2 subsidy increase came into effect over the weekend on August 15. Jeepney and UV Express drivers can now avail of a P12 per liter discount at participating gas stations, up to a weekly limit of 150 liters discounted. Officials have reiterated that maximizing the subsidy can offer up to P1,800 in direct savings every week.
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As of writing, the fuel subsidy program has a total of 96,197 unique beneficiary drivers; since the subsidy’s introduction in April, the government has disbursed a total of P491.61 million. These numbers come from Oil Industry Management Bureau chief Rino Abad, who shared the figures during the DOE’s weekly press conference.
In line with the subsidy program, the LTFRB has also started carrying out inspections to ensure gas stations are compliant with implementation. So far, most gas stations have been prompt with applying the subsidy.
The inspections also found that some gas stations were offering loyalty programs providing discounts of up to P5 per liter on top of the government’s fuel subsidy. This makes for a combined savings of up to P17 per liter for jeepney and UV Express drivers—a boon given the sharp and unpredictable movements of pump prices in recent weeks.
