ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Department of Energy (DoE) has formally released Pantawid Pasada Cards to the Region 9 office here of the Land Transportation Office (LTO-9).

DoE Undersecretary Jose Layug Jr. turned over the Pantawid Pasada Cards to LTO-9 Director Atty. Aminola Abaton in a simple ceremony held at the at LTO-9 conference room here recently.

While a symbolic distribution of the assistance cards led by Layug was also held in the presence of several public utility vehicle drivers in the city after a brief explanation about the importance program.

Abaton, for his part, also explained that the Pantawid Pasada program, or the Public Transport Assistance Program (PTAP) is a means to extend assistance to the jeepney and tricycle drivers affected by the continuous increase in the prices of petroleum products.

However, Abaton clarified that the program is not a subsidy but an assistance to the drivers who, because of the skyrocketing costs of fuel, do not have enough take-home income for their family.

Abaton said the Pantawid Pasada Card is a smart card given to drivers or operators containing a load of P1,050 – loaded by the DoE – that is presented to the petroleum retail outlet.

“The driver may use it in one filling or in staggered basis in the span of six months. But this has a five-year validity so it is advised that the driver must keep it for future use in case of another fuel spike occurs,” Abaton emphasized.

Layug stressed that only those vehicles with valid franchises and those registered annually are qualified to possess the card.

“This cannot be transferred to another user because the vehicle’s plate number is written in the card. It is only for fuel purchase, hence, it is not valid for shopping in the supermarket,” Layug said.