𝟐,𝟏𝟐𝟎 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐒𝐋𝐎𝐓 𝐈𝐍 𝐂𝐀𝐏𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐋 𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐁𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐘
The Cebu Provincial Government is expanding its subsidy program for transport workers, with thousands of public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers set to benefit from rice and fuel assistance as part of a broader response to rising fuel costs.
An initial 2,120 PUJ drivers, whose names have been endorsed by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), may now claim their 10-kilo rice subsidy at the Capitol Grounds beginning April 9.
Governor Pamela Baricuatro said the list is not yet final, as they are awaiting supplemental lists from jeepney operators whose employees, including passenger assistance officers or conductors, are also affected by the fuel crisis.
“We are doing our best to help the sectors nga nagkalisod aning krisis,” the governor told reporters, adding that what the Capitol is doing is just supplementing the aid and subsidies being rolled out aready by national government agencies.
Elizar Sabinay Jr. of the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) said the number of beneficiaries could reach up to 5,000 transport workers across the province, as the LTFRB has already endorsed around 4,300 names of PUJ drivers to the Capitol, excluding the supplemental list to be submitted by PUJ operators.
RICE AND FUEL SUBSIDIES
Additional rounds of rice subsidy distribution are scheduled, including a whole-day distribution today, April 10, at the Capitol Grounds, and during the Capitol’s Caravan of Services to be held in various parts of the province later this month.
Sabinay said drivers only need to present their driver’s license to claim the rice subsidy.
He added that the Capitol has initially allocated P250 million for the rice subsidy program, which forms part of the broader P316 million allocation for all affected sectors, including farmers and fisherfolk.
During the Caravan of Services, which will kick off in Cordova on April 15, habal-habal drivers will also receive their rice subsidy, along with the province’s P3,000 fuel subsidy. They will need to present their endorsement from their drivers’ association, as well as their driver’s license, for verification.
As of now, about 5,000 habal-habal drivers have been endorsed by their groups to the Capitol, which has set aside an initial P150 million for the subsidy.
Governor Baricuatro reiterated that Cebu has sufficient supply of rice and fuel, as assured by Energy Secretary Sharon Garin and Agriculture Secretary Francis Laurel Jr.
P20/KILO RICE
“I have been very blunt about this nga naa tay supply sa rice, naa tay supply sa fuel here,” the governor said. “No need to panic.”
She also said the provincial government is shouldering the hauling cost of 20,000 bags of rice from Occidental Mindoro, which will be retailed to vulnerable sectors at P20 per kilo.
Qualified beneficiaries may purchase up to 30 kilos of rice per month, with a maximum of 10 kilos per transaction. Rice farmers may buy up to 50 kilos monthly, while fisherfolk are limited to 10 kilos. Beneficiaries include indigent families, senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), solo parents, and registered rice farmers and fisherfolk. | CAPITOL PIO, Photos by YJB
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