Energy Dept. hands out 3,000 fuel subsidy cards

Hundreds of transport groups and jeepney operators on Monday received the first batch of government-issued “smart cards" for fuel subsidies amid rising costs of petroleum products as world crude prices continue to soar. At Camp Crame in Quezon City, the government set out to distribute at least 3,000 “smart cards" to be initially loaded with P1,050 each, according to a report on GMA News TV’s “Balitanghali." The government will load the cards Friday, the newscast added.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras said the government will distribute over 200,000 “smart cards" in the next two months. The planning and setting up of the distribution stations in other parts of the country is quite something, Almendras remarked. “Logistical challenge po ito, by next week." Drivers need to present the cards to gasoline stations, which will then discount their fuel purchases based on their remaining credits, the secretary said. The cards are valid for five years, Almendras added. Long-term subsidies While thanking President Aquino for the subsidy, a transport leader expressed that hope that government will implement the program over an extended period. “Kulang na kulang ito," said Pasang Masda president Roberto Martin. Last month, another transport leader said the P1,050-fuel subsidy could be useless by the time it is launched. “Sabi nga namin ang liit lang ng P1.16-per-liter subsidy. ‘Pag nagkaroon ng increases, kakainin lang ang fuel subsidy na ito, " Piston secretary-general George San Mateo said in an interview on radio dwIZ. “Hindi talaga ‘yung subsidy ‘yung solusyon," San Mateo added in a related interview on “Balitanghali."
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Also, the Palace last month said it was mulling to extend the subsidy program to farmers and fisherfolk. “Ang balakid sa atin sa ngayon, paano ba natin ma-identify kung sino talaga iyong karapat-dapat matulungan," the President said. — With Paterno Esmaquel II/VS, GMA News