• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Former Senate president Francis “Chiz” Escudero is urging the national and local governments to immediately provide a “fuel differential subsidy” to drivers of public jeepneys, taxis, tricycles and transport operators this April, stressing that the temporary aid is needed to help them cope with the oil price shocks that have already disrupted operations nationwide.
Escudero issued the call as transport groups in various locations such as Bacolod, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, and Cebu have reported severe financial strain due to the rapid rise in fuel costs, with some cooperatives slashing trips and others warning of possible shutdowns if no immediate intervention is provided.
“I hope the national and the local government can give them fuel differential subsidies to PUJ/PUV/tricycles in the form of cash or vouchers for fuel while the crisis is subsisting and the prices are still high for this month of April,” Escudero’s statement added.
In Iloilo province, several cooperatives have already reduced deployed units by more than half as diesel prices more than doubled, leaving operators with little to no income after fuel expenses.
In Cagayan de Oro, the city council declared a state of emergency after transport groups reported that fuel costs were consuming almost their entire daily income.
Meanwhile, in Cebu, modern jeepney operators warned that their operations were on the brink of collapse as fuel prices continued to surge.
The Bicolano senator said the same assistance should also be extended to farmers and fishermen after a farmers’ group reported during a recent Senate hearing that the number of fisherfolk going out to sea in several Luzon provinces has dropped by nearly half due to spikes in prices of petroleum products.
“We must act quickly to prevent deeper disruptions in food production and supply,” Escudero stressed.
He further said the proposed subsidy should cover the difference between regular fuel prices and the unusually high rates seen this month, stressing that the measure is intended only as a temporary buffer.*
