Insider Spotlight
Under the government’s Fuel Subsidy Program, qualified beneficiaries may receive financial assistance directly through the Maya app, complementing existing government disbursement mechanisms and reducing reliance on manual or over-the-counter payout processes.
Why it matters
The initiative forms part of broader government efforts to cushion the transport sector from rising fuel costs and continued market volatility linked to tensions in the Middle East. Beneficiaries include operators and drivers of public utility jeepneys (PUJs), UV Express units, taxis, and minibuses.
Maya recently completed the first batch of fuel subsidy disbursements to qualified beneficiaries.
“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,” LTFRB Chair Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II said.
The bigger picture
Beneficiary validation and identification continue to be handled by relevant government agencies, including the LTFRB, according to a company release, to help ensure transparency and proper targeting of assistance.
Maya said digital disbursements can also expand financial access among transport workers by providing digital accounts that may be used for savings, bills payment, 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,” Maya group president and Maya Bank co-founder Shailesh Baidwan said.
What’s next
The partnership underscores 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 initiative builds on previous collaborations between Maya and transport sector stakeholders to support digital payment adoption across public transportation services. Maya had also supported LTFRB fuel subsidy disbursements during the pandemic.
Beyond transport-related payments, the fintech platform processes digital payments for government transport services, including the LTFRB Franchise Online Application system and the payment of Metro Manila Development Authority traffic violation fees. —Princess Daisy C. Ominga| Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
