ILOILO City – The city government’s plan to roll out fuel subsidies for about 2,000 registered jeepney drivers has drawn both support and renewed calls for broader government action, with a local consumers’ group urging authorities to ensure that no public transport worker is left behind as fuel prices continue to surge.
The Panay Consumers Alliance (PCA) urged the city to include hundreds of unconsolidated jeepney drivers.
“While any form of relief is welcome, we emphasize that hundreds of unconsolidated jeepney drivers and operators remain excluded from this program,” the group said in a statement.
Mayor Raisa Treñas announced that the city government will distribute fuel subsidy coupons worth P1,500 per month to qualified jeepney drivers and operators to help cushion the impact of rising petroleum prices driven by global tensions and instability in the oil market.
PCA noted that many traditional jeepney drivers continue to serve commuters daily despite rising diesel prices and the pressures brought by the ongoing public transport modernization program.
“As representatives of consumers and commuters, we stress that assistance programs must be inclusive and equitable,” the group said.
It warned that limiting subsidies only to drivers covered by existing programs could leave many transport workers struggling to cope with the continued rise in fuel prices.
“Limiting subsidies only to those included in a program that has already excluded thousands of jeepney drivers and operators — and which has also proven risky even for those who consolidated under cooperatives — might leave behind many drivers who are equally affected by the surge in fuel prices,” PCA said.
The group also called on the Iloilo City Government, the Iloilo Provincial Government, municipal governments, and the national government to expand assistance programs, ensure transparent distribution of subsidies, and address the root causes of rising fuel costs affecting both drivers and commuters.
“We have seen that the conflict in the Middle East has a big impact on our transport sector — not only on the drivers and operators but also on the ordinary commuters who rely on public transportation every day,” Treñas said.
The mayor acknowledged that the assistance may not fully offset the effects of escalating fuel costs but stressed that the city government is determined to extend immediate relief to those most affected.
“While this is not a sure fix, we will do what we can. The Iloilo City Government can start by extending subsidies to our drivers and operators who are directly affected by the rising cost of petroleum products,” she said.
Under the program, qualified public utility jeepney drivers and operators will receive fuel subsidy coupons that can be used to purchase petroleum products. Distribution will be facilitated through their respective transport cooperatives, with the city government’s Atipan Center coordinating the rollout.
Treñas said the city government is also studying the possibility of extending similar assistance to other sectors in the transport industry.
“For our tricycle drivers, we are considering a subsidy ranging from P500 to P1,500 for those with legitimate franchises,” she said.
The subsidy program will be available to jeepneys operating on routes within Iloilo City, provided that drivers possess a valid driver’s license, operators hold a Certificate of Public Convenience or franchise, and the vehicles are included in the validated master list of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.
The fuel subsidy coupons will remain valid until Dec. 31, 2026, subject to the availability of funds.
Treñas said the program will continue while the city government awaits broader national policies aimed at easing the burden of rising fuel prices.
“The rollout of this program will continue until the national government is able to implement policies that will ease the impact of increasing petroleum prices,” the mayor said./PN
