PHP 1,000 fuel subsidy lands for Iloilo City taxi drivers May 8

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Taxi drivers registered in Iloilo City will begin receiving a PHP 1,000 fuel subsidy on May 8, following earlier distributions to jeepney and tricycle drivers, Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu announced.

The city government will hold the distribution of fuel subsidy coupons at the Quintin Salas Gym in Jaro district from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., with about 1,000 taxi drivers expected to benefit, Treñas-Chu said.

Drivers may redeem the coupons for fuel purchases later that day, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at designated stations indicated on the vouchers.

“We will continue extending assistance to our transport sector through the fuel subsidy program as a modest support to help them cope with the abnormal increase in petroleum prices caused by the conflict in the Middle East and other global factors,” the mayor said.

Taxi drivers are the latest group to receive assistance after fuel aid was earlier extended to tricycle operators and drivers, and public utility jeepney drivers.

Treñas-Chu said additional subsidies are expected to be rolled out within the month for tricycle and jeepney drivers following the approval of a PHP 1.4 billion supplemental budget, with PHP 30 million allocated for a six-month subsidy program.

The local rollout comes as Philippine pump prices remain elevated, driven in part by escalating tensions in the Middle East and shifting global supply dynamics that have squeezed the budgets of small transport operators.

Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Region 6 (LTFRB-6) has begun the phased rollout of its fuel cash subsidy program for drivers across Western Visayas and the Negros Island Region.

The program benefits public utility jeepney and taxi drivers, among other sectors.

The initial release for the first batch was conducted from April 24 to 25 at the LTFRB-6 office, followed by payouts for additional Batch 1 beneficiaries on April 28.

In the Negros Island Region, the first batch received their subsidy on April 30.

So far, more than 4,000 public utility vehicle drivers and operators in Western Visayas and Bacolod City have received the subsidy.

More than 11,000 beneficiaries are expected to receive assistance based on the list submitted under the Department of Transportation (DOTr) fuel assistance program.

Operators receive their subsidies through fuel cards or cooperative bank accounts, while drivers are paid through cash payouts at the LTFRB-6 office.

Under the program, modernized jeepney operators are granted PHP 10,000 each, traditional jeepney operators receive PHP 5,000 per unit, and taxi operators receive PHP 2,000 per unit.

Drivers from both jeepney types will also receive PHP 1,500 each, while taxi and UV Express drivers are entitled to PHP 5,000.

The current rollout covers only a partial list of beneficiaries, with additional schedules set for Antique, Aklan, and Capiz, as well as the second batch in Iloilo and Guimaras.

LTFRB-6 reminded beneficiaries to bring their original driver’s license along with two photocopies bearing their specimen signature.

Upon arrival, drivers must locate their names on the payroll list, proceed to their assigned counters, present the required documents, and sign the payroll upon receiving the subsidy.