House Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima has filed a measure seeking to institutionalize a monthly fuel subsidy program for sectors heavily affected by rising oil prices.
House Bill No. 8031, or the “Fuel Subsidy Program Act,” proposes a monthly fuel subsidy of not less than P7,000 for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers, farmers, fisherfolk, and other low-income groups.
De Lima said the measure aims to provide livelihood stability to workers in oil-dependent sectors despite geopolitical developments that drive up global fuel prices.
The proposal notes that agencies such as the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Transportation, and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources under the Department of Agriculture, along with local government units, have previously extended fuel assistance through programs such as the Pantawid Pasada Program and the Fuel Discount Program.
However, De Lima said these interventions are often temporary or one-time grants that fail to guarantee sustained support for affected workers.
“It is important that the government assists sectors that deliver essential services such as transportation and food. By easing their burden, we also help improve the services they provide to Filipinos,” she said.
Under HB 8031, beneficiaries would include public transport operators and drivers, municipal fisherfolk, farmers and agricultural producers, and other low-income sectors to be identified by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
To ensure transparency and efficiency, the bill mandates that subsidies be deposited directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
The proposed monthly amount would be subject to annual review and adjustment by the DOE and the Department of Budget and Management, in consultation with the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development, accounting for inflation, prevailing fuel prices, and the government’s fiscal capacity.
De Lima said prioritizing regular fuel subsidies could help prevent fare hikes for commuters and boost farmers’ and fisherfolk’s incomes, potentially increasing production and easing food prices.
“In all this, the public stands to benefit,” she said.
