CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival has confirmed that the city government is considering fuel assistance or subsidy for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers through a supplemental budget, citing the urgent need to cushion them up from soaring fuel costs.
Cebu City’s transport sector has been hit hard by surging fuel prices, with pump rates climbing to levels that have forced some jeepney drivers to cut operations.The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has already rolled out its Pantawid Pasada Program, granting ₱5,000 in fuel subsidy per qualified driver nationwide to ease the burden of rising oil prices following the Middle East crisis and prevent fare hikes that would affect commuters.
In Central Visayas alone, LTFRB Region 7 reported close to 38,000 beneficiaries for the national program.
Mayor Archival said the city’s assistance will be distinct from the LTFRB program and limited to Cebu City–based drivers.
“Gikuha na nato ang mga lists sa mga drivers but we need to verify and we should make sure nga ang atong matagaan katong mga tawo or mga drivers mga taga syudad sa Sugbo,” he explained, noting that verification will be conducted with LTFRB, LTO, and COMELEC records.
He added, “Ang atong punto karon, akong gi-quantify, if possible within this week so that if we have a certain budget nga atong mahatag, atong maapil sa atong ginganlan og supplemental budget.”
Archival admitted that drivers may receive both the LTFRB subsidy and the city’s assistance, but said this would still fall short of covering actual expenses. “Maybe…maybe…but the doble is not enough actually…kuwang gyud na siya,” he remarked.
He stressed that while the aid “might not be big,” it is important to show drivers that the city government is responsive. “At least ato silang gipahibaw nga ang Cebu City government, nagpangga sa mga drivers.”
The mayor recently met with transport group representatives in Cebu City to discuss their concerns, assuring them that the local government is committed to finding ways to support drivers beyond national programs.
The meeting highlighted the urgency of relief measures, as drivers struggle with unsustainable fuel costs and stagnant fare rates.
Additional city budget for waste disposal
The proposal for fuel assistance comes as Cebu City also prepares a supplemental budget mainly for waste disposal, which has become a pressing issue.
The city’s annual waste budget of ₱500 million is no longer sufficient, with costs expected to rise to ₱1–2 billion due to higher fuel prices and the longer hauling distance to Aloguinsan, about 61 kilometers away.
Archival assured residents that while the city is creating a supplemental budget to cover these rising garbage costs, “no program cuts” will be made to existing government services.
If approved by the City Council, Cebu City’s fuel subsidy program will offer relief to drivers, supporting national aid and public transport services, while also addressing the city’s waste disposal crisis.
U/Sec Castro underscores Palace efforts
Palace Press Officer, Undersecretary Claire Castro, during a press briefing in Cebu yesterday, said the welfare of the Filipino people remains the top priority of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as the government moves to cushion the impact of the continuing tensions in the Middle East.
Castro said the President immediately convened his Cabinet following the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East on February 28 to address its possible economic and humanitarian effects on the Philippines.
Among the measures implemented by the government are financial assistance, fuel subsidies, reduced fees, and consumer protection programs aimed at easing the burden on affected sectors.
As an initial step, the government began providing cash relief and fuel subsidies to workers in the transport sector. On Tuesday, President Marcos personally inspected the distribution of financial assistance to affected drivers in Sta. Mesa.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development, led by Secretary Rex Gatchalian, is distributing P5,000 cash relief assistance to about 139,000 tricycle drivers in Metro Manila. The assistance program will be expanded to drivers outside Metro Manila come April of this year.
Drivers of jeepneys and transport network vehicles will also receive P5,000 each as part of the cash relief program.
Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation, thru Secretary Giovanni Lopez, is set to release fuel subsidies by the last week of March.
The Department of Agriculture, thru Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr., will continue distributing P3,000 fuel subsidies to farmers, while the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources will provide a similar amount to fishermen.
Government estimates show that more than 26,000 farmers and fisherfolk are expected to benefit from the fuel subsidy. In addition, they will receive P2,000 in financial assistance under the Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk Program.
To help stabilize food prices, Castro said that the President also urged local government units to stop collecting pass-through fees on agricultural products to prevent additional costs from being passed on to consumers.
The government is also implementing measures to reduce airline operating costs and airfares. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines will reduce charges such as passenger service charges, landing fees, parking fees, and other related costs.
At the same time, the Civil Aeronautics Board shortened its review period for fuel surcharges from one month to 15 days, allowing quicker adjustments in airfares in response to changes in jet fuel prices.
The administration is also extending assistance to students. Collection of fees in public schools has been prohibited, while the Department of Education led by Secretary Sonny Angara will launch its “Serbisyo Fair” on March 25 to help graduating students find employment opportunities.
In addition, the government will continue the free ride program under the “Love Bus” initiative in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao.
Castro also reported that the government’s repatriation efforts for Filipinos affected by the Middle East conflict are ongoing.
So far, 769 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their family members from the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, and Lebanon have returned to the Philippines under the repatriation program.
An additional 120 OFWs and their relatives are expected to arrive on Thursday, potentially bringing the total number of repatriated Filipinos to 889 this week.
The Department of Migrant Workers said two chartered repatriation flights from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are also scheduled this week.
Due to the closure of several airspaces in the region, some OFWs in Israel, Kuwait, and Bahrain are required to travel through land crossings to Egypt or Saudi Arabia before boarding flights bound for the Philippines.
Authorities said contingency routes are also being prepared should further airspace closures occur in the region.
Castro stressed that the evacuation and repatriation of Filipinos are being carried out carefully and strategically to ensure their safety.
She also noted that aside from cash aid and subsidies, the government plans to distribute 10 kilograms of rice every other month for the entire year to middle-class workers and vulnerable families through the Local Government Support Fund.
Meanwhile, the Palace said Congress is working to fast-track legislation granting the President emergency powers to suspend or reduce excise taxes on fuel.
Castro said the House of Representatives of the Philippines has already approved its version of the bill on final reading, while the Senate of the Philippines is expected to pass its own version soon.
The proposed measure aims to allow the President to temporarily reduce or remove fuel excise taxes during periods of global crisis to help ease the burden on consumers.
| Written by Caecent No-ot Magsumbol and Mitchelle Palaubsanon/RAE
