MARCH 5, 2026 — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is bracing for impact as global oil prices inch closer to the dreaded $80 per barrel mark. With tensions in the Middle East rattling the energy market, the agency is now preparing the paperwork for a fuel subsidy program that could cushion Filipino commuters and drivers from the looming surge in pump prices.

LTFRB chairman Vigor D. Mendoza II explained that coordination with Landbank and transport operators is already underway to ensure fast distribution once the national government gives the green light. 

“We are already preparing all the documents and coordinating with the transport sector with the goal of fast and smooth distribution of the fuel subsidy once there is a go signal from the national government,” Mendoza said.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr), led by Secretary Giovanni Lopez, confirmed that around ₱2.5 billion is being readied for the subsidy. 

Lopez stressed, “What is more interesting right now is we have a fuel subsidy. I instructed the road sector to start the documentation, the processing of the fuel subsidy so that once the $80 threshold is met, what we would do is basically to give the subsidy.”

Why the rush? Experts warn that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most critical oil trade routes — combined with ongoing air strikes in the region, could disrupt supply chains and send prices skyrocketing. Early projections already point to a possible ₱9 per liter increase in diesel and ₱4 per liter in gasoline next week.

For jeepney drivers, bus operators, and the millions of commuters who rely on public transport daily, this subsidy is more than just financial aid — it’s a lifeline. Imagine the ripple effect: higher fuel costs mean fare hikes, which in turn squeeze the already tight budgets of ordinary Filipinos. The LTFRB has yet to decide on fare adjustments, but the subsidy could buy time and soften the blow.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has also floated the idea of suspending fuel excise taxes if instability persists, signaling that the government is aware of the urgency. 

But here’s the catch: subsidies are temporary. They can absorb shocks for a month or so, but they don’t fix the bigger problem — our dependence on imported oil and the vulnerability of our transport sector to global crises.

So while the LTFRB’s preparations are commendable, the bigger conversation is about long-term solutions. Shouldn’t we be investing more aggressively in renewable energy, modernizing public transport, and reducing our oil dependency? We deserve more than band-aid fixes.

How long can subsidies shield us before the weight of global oil politics finally hits home?

(Image: Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board - LTFRB)