THE Department of Energy (DOE) will distribute some 200,000 fuel assistance cards beginning May 2 although less than half of the intended beneficiaries have lined up for the program so far.

Energy Secretary Rene Almendras said legitimate public utility jeepneys (PUJ) in Metro Manila will be the first to avail of the subsidy based on a list that would be submitted by various transport groups to the energy department.

Almendras, however, disclosed that as of yesterday, these groups have only submitted less than 50 percent of their total membership. The cards will initially be distributed to PUJs in the metropolis because most of the gasoline stations in the capital region are equipped with point-of-sale (POS) terminals.

“Initial beneficiaries will be from the transport groups that have submitted their list earlier and have worked with us diligently,” Almendras said.

DOE also designated three areas in Metro Manila were PUJs can claim their fuel assistance cards. These are Fort Bonifacio in Taguig, Camp Crame in Quezon City and Quirino Grandstand in Manila City.

For those in other regions, Almendras said they will be coordinating with the regional offices of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, which were tasked to oversee the regional distribution of said cards.

Drivers will be required to bring the original copy of their certificates of public conveyance (CPC) or franchise and the updated certificate of registration (CR) and original receipt (OR) from the LTO.

While the cards shall have been distributed on May 2, these can only be used after four to five days, the time needed for the depository bank- Bank of the Philippine Islands- to activate the cards.

Almendras stressed that jeepneys that are not registered for two consecutive years will not be entitled to the fuel subsidy cards, which will bear a load credit of P1,050 each. They can spend it one time or partially.

The Energy chief also reminded drivers not to throw away the cards once they have consumed the amount because these cards are valid for five years and can still be used for future fuel assistance programs.

Besides, these cards can be used by them in availing the diesel discounts being given by all refilling stations. Fuel companies will be requiring drivers to present the card first before they could access the designated PUV lanes in different gas stations.