The Department of Energy (DOE) is maintaining close coordination with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to explore the potential expansion or increase of the current P12-per-liter fuel financial assistance given to eligible public transport beneficiaries.
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin clarified that she cannot yet confirm whether an adjustment or extension of the subsidy will be implemented, pointing out that transport sector programs fall directly under the purview of the DOTr.
According to Garin, the DOE’s role centers on delivering technical guidance and continuous data on petroleum price trends, including monitoring pump prices across local fuel stations.
She explained that government agencies must first compute the exact number of qualified transport sector recipients and evaluate total funding requirements before making a final determination on modifying the existing subsidy structure.
Garin expressed hope that an increase in fuel subsidies would ultimately prove unnecessary, as that scenario would signal a downward shift in global crude prices.
In the meantime, the energy chief noted that the DOE cannot provide a definitive forecast regarding a possible pump price reduction next week, as local fuel price adjustments rely on the full five-day trading average of international crude movements from Monday to Friday.