• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Exclusion from the fuel subsidies, expired franchises, and the demand for a fuel price freeze were among the issues raised by various transport leaders during yesterday’s dialogue with Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya.
The meeting followed a transport strike held at Barangay Bata, by members of Bacolod Alliance of Commuters Operators and Drivers Inc. (BACOD/MANIBELA), United Negros Drivers and Operators Center–Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (UNDOC-PISTON), BACOD-MANIBELA, Drivers United for Mass Progress and Equal Rights – Philippine Taxi Drivers Association (DUMPER-PTDA) Bacolod, and tricycle associations.
The transport groups detailed several grievances that led to their morning protest, focusing primarily on the exclusion of 140 BACOD/MANIBELA members from the national fuel subsidy list of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
Rudy Catedral, president of the group, also pushed for the renewal of the provisional authority for members whose franchises expired between 2019 and 2021.
Meanwhile, UNDOC-Piston Secretary General Eric Bendoy called for an immediate price freeze on petroleum products, arguing that current costs have become unbearable for public utility vehicle drivers.
Adding to these concerns, Johnrey Sarona of DUMPER Bacolod requested that fuel subsidies be handed out personally and directly to the drivers instead of using GCash to ensure the aid reaches the intended beneficiaries without technical hurdles.
He pointed out the financial burden of having to acquire a smartphone and create a digital wallet account as a prerequisite for receiving the subsidy.
Gasataya assured the sector that they will mediate with the relevant national agencies.
He stated that he will coordinate with the LTFRB and Department of Social Welfare and Development, to address the concerns raised by the transport sector.
The Mayor’s Office intends to verify why many drivers were left off the subsidy lists and to advocate for the extension of the expired franchises to keep local drivers on the road.*
