Jamaine Punzalan

Commuters arriving from the provinces and departing from Metro Manila pass through Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange in Parañaque City on January 5, 2025. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Bea Cuadra

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177431554102920250105-pitx-newyear-travelers-MD06546.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Commuters arriving from the provinces and departing from Metro Manila pass through Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange in Parañaque City on January 5, 2025. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News </span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday led the rollout of fuel subsidies for bus operators at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX). </p><p>According to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the initial distribution at the terminal covered 27 bus operators, involving a total of 1,096 bus units. </p><p>Under the program, operators are set to receive a subsidy of P10,000 per bus unit.</p><p>The President noted that while the launch took place in Metro Manila, the assistance program is a nationwide initiative.</p><p>“Para sa mga bus operator, nandito po kami para tiyakin na &#x27;yong aming ginagawa na fuel subsidy ay maayos kasi mag-start tayo today pero hindi lamang dito sa Metro Manila pero all over the country ito,” Marcos said.</p><p>The President noted that the government was offering various ways to claim the funds, though he encouraged a shift toward digital platforms for efficiency.</p><p>“We can do it via digital payment, GCash, you can go to the ATM, may mga card naman na hawak &#x27;yong mga driver natin at lahat ng operator na-issue-an ng card, pwedeng gamitin &#x27;yon,” the President said. </p><p>He added that for those hesitant to go digital, the government remained flexible. </p><p>“Meron pa ring iilan na talaga namang ayaw nilang gawing digital kaya pwede ring mag-issue ng tseke at kung talagang kailangan, kahit cash pwede pa rin,” he said. </p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1452226069937588%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>For those on the front lines of the transport crisis, the P10,000-per-unit subsidy serves as a critical buffer against the &quot;domino effect&quot; of rising fuel costs.</p><p>Julius Balilo, who operates city buses for VIL 5000 and High Star Transport, noted that the burden of expensive diesel extends beyond the fuel pump. </p><p>“Actually malaki impact samin kasi domino effect po sa amin yan pag tumaas po yung diesel price eh kaakibat kasi yan yung mga suppliers nagtataasan na din lahat ng presyo ng mga basic needs namin sa transport sector,” Balilo said.</p><p>Mercy Sta. Maria, an operator for Mersan Snow White Transport Cooperation, expressed relief that the subsidy arrived after a proposed fare hike was recently recalled. </p><p>“Ang laking epekto samin dahil ang taas taas ng diesel hindi naman nabago yung aming byahe yun parin so sana nga kung natuloy yung fare increase kasi binawi nila pero nagbigay naman po si Presidente ng fuel subisdy,” she said.</p><p>For the drivers themselves, the assistance is less about business margins and more about daily survival. </p><p>Rommel Reyes, a bus driver, admitted the struggle had become a test of endurance. </p><p>“Maraming salamat makakatanggap kami kasi talagang hirap na kami sa byahe ngayon sobrang taas ng diesel… Talagang tyagaan na lang… Kahit papano makakuha ng pangkain,” Reyes said. </p><p>Richard Cabanig, another driver, said the subsidy was a direct boost to his family&#x27;s welfare. </p><p>“Masaya dahil malaking bagay din para sa pamilya ko dahil nakakatulong po tulad nung gawa ng biyahe namin na konti na lang kinikita namin dahil taas nga po ng langis,” Cabanig said.</p><p>Marcos called on the transport sector and the public to collaborate with the government to ensure the passengers are not unfairly burdened by fare increases.</p><p>“Tulungan niyo naman kami para &#x27;yong mga riding public ay hindi masyadong mahirapan muna at hindi sila masyadong mabigatan sa pamasahe dahil alam naman natin kung ano ang nangyayari at nagbabago &#x27;yong presyo ng langis over the world kaya ito ang response ng pamahalaan,” the President said.</p><div><iframe width="1023" height="575" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PZEPZVlWY8Y" title="Economist warns: Philippines should prepare for possible fuel rationing | DZMM Teleradyo" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><iframe width="1023" height="575" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RGvr8BFv0tc" title="PH allows temporary use of dirtier fuel | ANC" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday led the rollout of fuel subsidies for bus operators at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX).</p>

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday led the rollout of fuel subsidies for bus operators at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX).

Marcos: Buses to get P10,000 fuel subsidy

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Marcos: Buses to get P10,000 fuel subsidy

Bea Cuadra,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 24, 2026 09:28 AM PHT

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Marcos

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fuel subsidy

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diesel

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