DOE: Fuel smart cards to be distributed in provinces starting in June

After starting to distribute fuel smart cards to public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers in Metro Manila this week, the Department of Energy (DOE) said the cards could be distributed in the provinces starting in June. Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Jose Layug Jr. said on Tuesday they are still finalizing the list of recipients of the smart cards in the provinces. "Inaasahan namin siguro simula ng Hunyo, sila naman ang aming bibigyan. Medyo pasensya lang, ang listahan ng LTO (Land Transportation Office) at LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) inaalam pa, inuna ang Metro Manila," Layug said in an interview on dzBB radio. The DOE, LTO and LTFRB distributed Monday a first batch of 3,000 fuel smart cards for public utility vehicle drivers at Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City. Layug said the distribution went smoothly and was finished ahead of schedule because of the help of transport groups. While the DOE took Tuesday off to evaluate Monday's distribution of smart cards, Layug said they will resume the distribution on Wednesday. On Wednesday, he said they will distribute smart cards to jeep drivers and operators plying routes in the Alabang area. He said the DOE will not accommodate suggestions by some drivers and operators to establish alternate venues for the distribution of smart cards. "May problema sa seguridad. Ang tao ng LTO at LTFRB ay bilang. Hindi kaya maglagay ng ibang distribution center," he said. Meanwhile, Layug said the smart cards will not be loaded until Friday, to thwart possible attempts by criminals to steal the cards. "Baka may magsamantala may mag-holdup. Sabi natin lagyan natin ng tatlong araw delayed," he said. - VVP, GMA News