Philippines Announces Transport Discounts Amid Fuel Rise

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Department of Transportation announced on Friday a series of temporary discounts for public transport and freight services, effective March 23, to ease the burden of rising fuel prices triggered by tensions in the Middle East.

The initiative includes toll rebates on major expressways for public utility vehicles such as jeepneys, public utility buses, and freight haulers transporting essential goods. Qualified vehicles, which must be registered with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and equipped with radio frequency identification devices, will receive weekly credits to their accounts. Officials estimate savings of up to 18 pesos per end-to-end trip for jeepneys, 47 pesos for buses, and 72 pesos for heavy freight vehicles. The program, initially set for two months, applies to key routes including the North Luzon Expressway, South Luzon Expressway, and Southern Tagalog Arterial Road. Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista Lopez described the measure as a critical relief for drivers and the economy, stating in a statement, "This will be a big help to our public utility vehicle drivers, commuters, as well as to our...