Industry News/Updates
Government to roll out transport subsidies, fuel discounts starting April 15
Government will launch fuel subsidies and fare discounts starting April 15 to help commuters and drivers.
The national government will begin implementing a transport assistance package on April 15, which includes subsidized fares for commuters and fuel discounts for public utility vehicle operators and drivers, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced on Thursday, April 9.
The measures come in response to rising fuel prices, which the government has linked to recent developments in the Middle East. The President convened the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) Committee to assess the impact of the price increases and discuss possible interventions.
Under the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) Service Contracting Program, drivers and operators will receive payments ranging from PhP40 to PhP100 per kilometer. The payments are intended to supplement fare income, according to Marcos, who spoke following the committee meeting.
The program will be implemented nationwide and will cover approximately 50,000 public utility vehicles (PUVs), 1,000 operators, and an estimated 15 million passengers, the President said.
For commuters, the government will provide at least a 20 percent fare discount. Routes under the program are designed to connect with train lines and major bus corridors. The service will operate during off-peak hours, with participating vehicles required to have GPS monitoring to track actual trips.
In addition to the service contracting program, the government will offer a PhP10-per-liter fuel discount for PUVs, with a maximum of 150 liters per week for a period of three months.
The fuel subsidy will be available only at gasoline stations accredited and monitored by the Department of Energy, according to Marcos, who said the restriction is intended to prevent misuse.
The rollout will begin in the National Capital Region next week, starting along Commonwealth Avenue before expanding to Quezon Avenue, España, Zapote, A. Bonifacio, Rizal Avenue, and Marcos Highway. Officials said the program is planned for nationwide implementation.
Marcos said the government’s objective is to maintain stability for Filipinos amid ongoing economic pressures.
Industry News/Updates
Ford announces finalists for 25th Henry Ford Awards
Ford names 25th Henry Ford Awards finalists for motoring journalism excellence.
Ford Philippines has named the finalists for the 25th Henry Ford Awards (HFA), the industry’s only awards program recognizing excellence in motoring journalism, the company statement said on April 16.
The awards, now in its 25th year, features five submission categories divided into Industry Awards and Ford-specific categories.
Industry Category Awards
For Automotive Vehicle Review of the Year (Article), the finalists are Luigi Leonardo of GadgetMatch for his piece on the Kia EV9, Carlo Chungunco of Top Gear Philippines for a story on the Mazda Miata, and Raymond Gregory Tribdino of The Manila Times’ Fast Times for a review of the 2025 Mitsubishi Xpander.
In the Automotive Vehicle Review of the Year (Video) category, finalists include Earl Lee of AutoDeal for the 2025 Nissan Z NISMO, Caco Tirona of AutoDeal for the 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9, and Alexander Zosa of Jaywalkur Motoring for the BYD Seal 5 DMi.
Ford Category Awards
The Ford Launch Story of the Year category features Kristoffer Lim of Megabites, Leandre Grecia of Top Gear Philippines, and MJ Jucutan of GadgetMatch.
For Ford Automotive Video Feature of the Year, the nominees are Jack Gutierrez of AutoDeal, Roy Robles of Zigwheels Philippines, and Caco Tirona of AutoDeal.
In the Ford Automotive Short-Form Video of the Year category, finalists are Roy Robles of Zigwheels Philippines, Charles Banaag of Top Gear Philippines, and Isaac Atienza of Go Flat Out PH.
All entries underwent two rounds of judging by members of the academe and business leaders. Video submissions were evaluated by special judges, including Ogilvy Executive Creative Director Chino Jayme and brand filmmaker Sid Maderazo of Provill Studios and Sidekick Collective.
Winners will be announced on May 5, 2026. The ceremony will also honor the Silver Mile Luminaries, motoring journalists with the most HFA wins over the past 25 years, as well as the recipient of the first-ever Butch Gamboa Lifetime Achievement Award.
Industry News/Updates
Ford offers cash discounts, low downpayment deals for April
Ford Philippines offers April cash discounts, low downpayments, and 0% interest on select models.
Ford Philippines is offering special promotions this April, including cash discounts, low all-in downpayment deals, and interest-free financing across several vehicle models.
The offers cover the Ford Ranger, Everest, Territory Hybrid, Explorer, and Mustang Mach-E, the company announced on April 15.
Territory Hybrid
The Territory Hybrid Titanium X comes with a P50,000 cash discount or a lower all-in downpayment deal of P89,000. The base Territory Trend remains priced at P1,399,000 and is available at a monthly fee of P29,352.
The Territory Hybrid, launched in August 2025, features a self-charging system that recovers battery power through regenerative braking and energy capture from the engine. It does not require charging stations.

Mustang Mach-E
The all-electric Mustang Mach-E is offered with a P500,000 cash discount, bringing its starting retail price to P2,999,000. Customers can also avail of 0% interest with a 50% downpayment on a 60-month amortization plan.
Ford Everest
The 7-seater Everest Titanium+ 4×2 comes with a P110,000 cash discount or a complimentary 5-Star Care Package, which includes a free 5-year warranty, 5-year scheduled service plan, and 5-year emergency roadside assistance, plus a P70,000 cash discount.
The Everest Trend variant is available at a P79,000 low all-in downpayment or a monthly fee of P39,107. The Everest Sport comes with a P60,000 discount.
Ford Ranger
The Ranger Sport is offered with a P180,000 discount. Customers can also avail of a low all-in downpayment of P59,000 for the 4×2 variant or P69,000 for the 4×4 variant. The entry-level Ranger XLS is available at a P99,000 all-in downpayment or a monthly fee of P28,932.
Ford Explorer
The Explorer 2.3L Limited EcoBoost comes with either a P1,000,000 discount or 0% interest with a 20% downpayment on a 60-month amortization plan.
“We recognize the need to make mobility more accessible especially during these challenging times,” said Byron Daquil, Director of Retail Marketing and Business Growth at Ford Philippines. “With customer-focused promotional offers on the Territory Hybrid, Mustang Mach-E and across our vehicle lineup, we hope to provide options to enable customers to keep moving through their day-to-day with ease and efficiency.”
For more details, visit Ford Philippines website at https://www.ford.com.ph/
Industry News/Updates
Vespa launches new 180cc Sprint, Primavera models in PH
Vespa launches two new 180cc scooters at Makina Moto 2026.
Vespa distributor Piaggio Philippines Corporation has introduced two new 180cc scooter models at the Makina Moto 2026 event, expanding its lineup in the local market.
The new offerings, the Vespa Sprint and Vespa Primavera, were unveiled on April 14 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. Both models come in three variants each, with prices ranging from P218,000 to P288,000.

The Primavera 180cc is priced at P218,000 for the Standard variant, P228,000 for the Primavera S, and P268,000 for the Primavera Tech. The scooter features newly designed rims and a redesigned speedometer, according to the distributor.
The Sprint 180cc lineup starts at P238,000 for the Standard variant, followed by the Sprint S at P248,000, and the Sprint Tech at P288,000. The Sprint is distinguished by sharper body lines, with the Tech variant equipped with a high-definition digital dashboard.
Both models are powered by an enhanced 180cc engine and come standard with a keyless start system and ABS brakes.

The Italian brand has been manufacturing scooters since 1946. The new Sprint and Primavera models are now available at authorized Vespa dealerships nationwide.
The Makina Moto 2026 event runs until April 17 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
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