CEBU CITY, Philippines — Public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers in Cebu obtained ₱1,500 in gasoline subsidy on Monday, Could 25, as a part of the federal government’s persevering with help program for transport employees amid excessive gasoline costs.
Certified conventional PUJ, trendy PUJ (MPUJ), and Filcab drivers lined up on the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Central Visayas (LTFRB-7) workplace in Cebu Metropolis to say the money help.
Round 700 drivers had been scheduled to obtain the subsidy, stated Abosamen H. Matuan, LTFRB-7 regional director.
READ: Cebu PUV drivers: Methods to declare ₱5K LTFRB gasoline subsidy immediately
Momentary aid
For a lot of drivers, the subsidy provided solely non permanent aid from the every day pressure of rising gasoline costs and declining passenger quantity.
Johnny Villalas, a Dumanjug-based driver with over 20 years of expertise, stated the help helps ease primary family wants regardless of ongoing challenges.
“Nagpasalamat unhappy ko, ma’am, could na lang tabang sa amongst kalisud kay could maka-bugas ug sud-an para sa akong pamilya,” Villalas stated.
(I’m grateful as a result of someway it helps with our struggles. At the very least we are able to purchase rice and meals for my household.)
READ: ₱5k gasoline subsidy for taxi, public bus drivers rolls out in Cebu Friday
Villalas stated excessive gasoline prices and fewer passengers proceed to chop into their earnings.
“Lisod kaayo ma’am kay gamay ra kaayo ang pasahero, taas baya kaayo presyo sa krudo ug gasolina niya minus kaayo og pasahero,” he added.
(It’s very troublesome as a result of there are only a few passengers, whereas gasoline and gasoline costs stay very excessive.)
All for gasoline
Cordova-based driver Fernando Sandoval, 52, echoed the identical concern, saying most of their earnings now goes on to gasoline bills.
“Syempre lipay mi kay aron naa pud mi katabang ba … makatabang sa pamilya kay niining krisis karon nga mahal kaayo ang gasolina niya,” Sandoval stated.
(“After all, we’re comfortable as a result of this someway helps our households throughout this disaster the place gasoline costs are very excessive.”)
“Usahay gani wa na mi madala sa amo pamilya gumikan sa kadako sa presyo sa gasolina. Naibanan ang amoang earnings kaniadto kay paingon na sa gasolina ang kita namo unta,” he added.
(Typically, we are able to not carry sufficient earnings dwelling to our households due to the rising gasoline costs. What was once our earnings now goes to gasoline bills.)
Sandoval stated even a small quantity of assist already makes a distinction.
“Bisan sa kagamay, nakatabang gyud ka namo kay makapalit pagkaon pang-isa ka adlaw,” he stated.
(Even when it’s small, it actually helps us as a result of it permits us to purchase meals even only for at some point.)
Persevering with assist
Matuan stated the ₱1,500 subsidy for PUJ drivers is a part of a seamless gasoline help program for transport employees.
The present payout adopted a separate distribution final week for taxi and UV Specific drivers to handle crowding on the workplace, he famous.
Some beneficiaries, he added, had already obtained earlier help amounting to ₱5,000 via the Division of Social Welfare and Growth (DSWD).
Matuan additionally stated gasoline subsidies are launched via varied modes, together with money payouts, gasoline playing cards, Landbank accounts, and GCash transfers, although some delays stay because of verification points.
He stated drivers not included in earlier payouts are nonetheless present process validation whereas the central workplace finalizes payroll data.
In the meantime, drivers who had been unable to say their help in the course of the scheduled payout should declare their subsidy on the LTFRB workplace, supplied their names are included within the official listing of beneficiaries and funds stay accessible.
Motorbike taxi drivers could profit, too
Matuan stated motorbike taxi riders from platforms reminiscent of Angkas and JoyRide can also obtain help via coordination with the DSWD.
Nevertheless, he clarified that motorbike taxis are usually not but below the LTFRB’s jurisdiction, making it troublesome to ascertain an official listing of beneficiaries.
Regardless of this, he stated the company is exploring mechanisms to facilitate doable subsidy launch for motorbike taxi and transport community car service (TNVS) drivers.
Beneficiaries served
Matuan stated the gasoline subsidy program started on March 30, when the LTFRB central workplace launched help to greater than 13,000 transport operators.
Since then, distribution has continued in phases.
Out of round 23,000 supposed beneficiaries in Central Visayas, he estimated that about 70 p.c have already obtained their gasoline subsidy help.
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