The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has tapped Maya to help digitally disburse fuel subsidies to eligible public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators, as the government expands the use of digital channels for social assistance programs amid rising fuel prices.
Under the government’s Fuel Subsidy Program, beneficiaries may receive assistance directly through their Maya app, helping complement existing government disbursement mechanisms while reducing reliance on manual or over-the-counter payout processes.
The fuel subsidy initiative forms part of broader government measures aimed at cushioning the transport sector from elevated fuel prices and ongoing market volatility linked to tensions in the Middle East.
Beneficiaries include operators and drivers from multiple transport sectors, including public utility jeepneys (PUJs), UV Express units, taxis and minibuses. Maya has completed the first batch of disbursements to beneficiaries recently.
To support transparency and proper targeting of assistance, beneficiary validation and identification continue to be handled by relevant government agencies, including the LTFRB.
“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 Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II, Chairperson of LTFRB.
Maya said digital disbursements can also help broaden financial access among transport workers by providing beneficiaries with digital accounts that can be used for savings, bills payment, credit, insurance and everyday cashless transactions—supporting greater financial inclusion and the promotion of financial health.
“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 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 initiative also builds on earlier collaborations between Maya and transport sector stakeholders to support digital payment adoption across public transportation services. Maya had also previously supported LTFRB fuel subsidy disbursements during the pandemic. Beyond transport-related payments, Maya also processes digital payments for various government-related transport services, including the LTFRB Franchise Online Application system and the settlement of Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) traffic violation fees.
