LTFRB taps Maya for digital fuel subsidy disbursements

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has partnered with Maya to digitally distribute fuel subsidies to eligible public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators, as the government expands the use of digital channels for financial assistance programs amid rising fuel prices.

Under the government’s Fuel Subsidy Program, beneficiaries may receive assistance directly through their Maya accounts, complementing existing government disbursement mechanisms and reducing reliance on manual or over-the-counter payout processes.

The initiative forms part of the government’s efforts to help cushion the transport sector from the impact of elevated fuel prices and continued market volatility linked to tensions in the Middle East.

The program covers beneficiaries from several transport sectors, including public utility jeepneys (PUJs), UV Express units, taxis, and minibuses. Maya recently completed the first batch of fuel subsidy disbursements to qualified recipients.

According to the LTFRB, beneficiary validation and identification continue to be handled by relevant government agencies to ensure proper targeting and transparency in the distribution of assistance.

“Digital disbursement helps make the release of assistance more efficient and accessible for our transport sector beneficiaries, while also supporting broader efforts to modernize public service delivery,” said Vigor D. Mendoza II, chairperson of the LTFRB.

Beyond facilitating the transfer of government assistance, Maya said digital accounts can provide transport workers access to financial services such as savings, bill payments, credit, insurance, and cashless transactions.

“Beyond enabling faster and more convenient access to government assistance, digital accounts can also help transport workers participate more fully in the digital economy through tools such as savings, credit and cashless transactions,” said said Shailesh Baidwan, Group President of Maya and Co-Founder of Maya Bank.

The collaboration highlights the growing role of digital financial platforms in government disbursement programs as agencies increasingly adopt digital channels to improve the speed, efficiency, and accessibility of aid distribution.

The partnership also builds on previous collaborations between Maya and transport sector stakeholders aimed at promoting digital payment adoption across public transportation services. Maya previously supported LTFRB fuel subsidy disbursements during the pandemic.

Apart from subsidy distribution, Maya also processes digital payments for several transport-related government services, including the LTFRB Franchise Online Application system and the payment of traffic violation fees issued by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).