Bacolod rolls out fuel aid for jeepney drivers

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Negros Island Region started the distribution of fuel subsidies Thursday to 2,111 public utility jeepney drivers here.

Each recipient will receive PHP 5,000 as part of the agency’s cash relief assistance for drivers affected by the fuel price hike amid tensions in the Middle East.

The three-day payout will be held at SM City Bacolod until Saturday, May 16.

The staggered payout is intended to ensure that all beneficiaries receive their financial assistance while avoiding overcrowding and ensuring the safety and convenience of participants.

The city government earlier submitted a list of 10,551 local drivers to the DSWD for verification.

The list also includes Transport Network Vehicle Service drivers certified by their respective companies.

The city government is awaiting the schedule of the fuel aid payout for taxi and TNVS drivers.

In April, 13,026 tricycle drivers in the city also received PHP 5,000 each in fuel assistance from the national government.

Meanwhile, the city government also distributed PHP 9 million worth of financial assistance to five organizational beneficiaries under the Sustainable Program for Resilient and Optimum Urban Transformation, or SPROUT, during the City Development Council meeting Monday.

Farmer and fisherfolk organizations were among the 13 identified associations that received aid under the flagship initiative of the Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office and the City Planning and Development Office.

The SPROUT initiative aims to empower marginalized sectors, including farmers, fisherfolk, and senior citizens, to reduce reliance on external food sources and adopt Good Agricultural Practices.

Mayor Greg Gasataya emphasized that the allocation from the city’s 20% Development Fund is an investment in the people’s self-sufficiency.

“We believe that through the SPROUT program, we can reduce the volume of waste reaching our sanitary landfill. While we recognize that these initiatives require significant investment, we fully support them because they benefit the entire community,” he said.

The city also started distributing Annual Investment Program shares to Barangays Alangilan, Villamonte, and 18 for the installation of solar streetlights and closed-circuit television cameras in strategic areas.

The initiative is intended to strengthen energy conservation and peace-and-order measures in the barangays.

Further, the city extended PHP 1.4 million to 358 beneficiaries of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation on Tuesday.

The assistance provided relief to residents facing medical concerns, burial expenses, and fire-related losses.

Of the amount, 313 beneficiaries received medical assistance totaling PHP 1,217,500.

Burial assistance amounting to PHP 193,000 was granted to 43 beneficiaries, while two fire victims received PHP 25,000 in aid.