Cebu City transport groups seek fuel subsidies

Local

AMID the rising oil prices that threaten their daily earnings, transport groups in Cebu City are asking for possible fuel subsidies.

The appeal was raised during a meeting called by Mayor Nestor Archival with representatives of taxi, modern jeepney, and traditional jeepney drivers to discuss the impact of the looming fuel price increases linked to tensions in the Middle East.

Greg Perez, head of the Piston Cebu chapter, said their group intends to present to the mayor the “actual situation” faced by drivers whose income has been squeezed by higher fuel prices.

“Ipadangat gyud namo ani ang sitwasyon actual karon sa mga driver gyud, bunga sa pagsaka sa presyo sa lana nga dako gyud kaayo ang epekto sa mga kita sa driver, sa tigom sa matag-adlaw,” Perez said.

He added that the group also wants to know what assistance the city government can extend to help drivers cope with the rising cost of fuel.

“Amoa ipadangat na unsay mahimo sa LGU ani no sa syudad kay kabalo manta nga naay gahom pod ang LGU aning lana, pwede man sila muhimo ug executive order para kontrolon nato ang mga estasyon sa namaligya ug mga krudo o gasolina,” he said.

Perez said some drivers have already stopped operating due to declining earnings.

“Naa no, naay tigpila na gyud ang nihunong sa mi-aging semana kay nireklamo sila na gamay ra kayg income… naay uban ni-surrender na, wala na magbyahe, parking-parking nalang kay lisod man idagan ang sakyanan unya walay pasahero,” he said.

Most public utility vehicles operate under the boundary system, where drivers first remit a fixed daily amount to operators before taking home their earnings.

According to Perez, while some operators have slightly reduced the daily boundary, the relief remains minimal.

“Ang boundary nato ron sa mga jeep labi na ELF sa matag rota naa 1,200, naa 1,100. Naay uban na gireduce nila gamay—imbes 1,100 himuon nalang usa ka libo para at least naa pay madugang nga tigom sa driver,” he said.

Perez explained that fuel costs alone have increased significantly for drivers.

“Sa una ga-budget ko ug usa ka adlaw na byahe mga 1,000 ang krudo nako, pero karon kay 1,500 na sa krudo lang ug mao ra gihapon na byahe nako, mao ra na oras, mao ra na rota,” he said.

With no approved fare increase from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Perez said some drivers and passengers have resorted to informal, voluntary arrangements for small fare adjustments.

“Murag hangyo nalang as temporary… posible naa na gyud nahitabo karon sa rota nga naay sabot-sabot lang sa pasahero ug driver,” he said.

Perez stressed that these adjustments are not forced.

“Wala mana ingon na ang driver mupugos gyud. Mupasabot lang ang driver kay adlaw-adlaw pasahero mana niya, kaila naman sila sa usag usa,” he added.

He warned that if fuel prices continue to rise without intervention from the government, the transport sector may face stronger actions from transport groups.

“Sa kasaysayan sa pagsaka sa pletehan, bisag 10 centavos dili gyud na mosaka kung walay mga strike nga mahitabo,” Perez said.

He added that any transport strike would still need to be formally declared by national transport groups.

Meanwhile, Archival acknowledged the concerns raised by drivers during the meeting.

“Ang mga drivers sa taxi, modern jeepneys, and traditional jeepney, ang ilang agrabyado ilang gisulti nako galisod sila sa ilang livelihood. Naglisod sila in the sense nga taas kaayo ang krudo ug gasolina pero ang ilang pletehan nga gikolekta mao ra gihapon,” the mayor said.

Archival said the drivers asked the city government to consider providing financial assistance to help offset fuel costs.

“Nagkahiusa sila nga gusto sila mo-continue sa ilang panginabuhian. Nihangyo sila sa city government nga tabangan sila, so nangutana ko unsay klase sa tabang nga ilang gusto,” he said.

The mayor said transport groups will submit a formal request along with a list of drivers or cooperatives that may qualify for assistance.

“Nagsabot mi nga muhatag sila og request ug list sa groups o coops. Muhatag sila nako ugma until Saturday, unya makig-meeting ko sa LTFRB ug akong i-match ang ilang ngalan sa list sa LTFRB,” Archival said.

He added that the city government will also check whether funds are available to support the proposed subsidy.

“Makig-meeting sad ko sa city treasurer kung naa ba tay makita nga funds nga makatabang nila. Kung naa, iapil nato sa supplemental budget nga atong himuon,” he said.

Archival clarified that the amount of any possible subsidy has yet to be determined.

“Wala pa ko kahibaw pila atong ihatag, depende gyud na sa budget nga available. Tan-awon pa nato unsaon pagbahin sa mga driver,” he added.(TGP)