Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya has formally requested the National Government to include Public Utility Jeepney (PUJ) drivers, Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) drivers, and farmers in the fuel subsidy program. The mayor announced that a verified list of 10,551 local drivers has been transmitted to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), while a separate list of 410 farmers has been sent to the Department of Agriculture (DA) for expedited processing of national fuel subsidies.
Verified List Includes Protesting Drivers
Gasataya emphasized that the list includes drivers who participated in street protests. "The most important thing for us is that they are validated, meaning they are qualified. So, as soon as we receive a DSWD, we will be able to get the final instruction from the DSWD as to our request," he said. The submission covers not only PUJ and PUV drivers with active franchises but also Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) drivers certified by companies such as Grab, Maxim, InDrive, and Joyride.
Inclusion of Modernized PUJ and Delivery Drivers
The mayor noted that the list also includes drivers from firms like J&T Express and modernized PUJ drivers. All were verified through their respective associations and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-Negros Island Region (LTFRB-NIR). By recommending their inclusion under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program, Gasataya ensures that vulnerable workers are not excluded from government support.
"It depends on the DSWD when they will determine how many they will distribute. They will release them this time to the public transport sector," Gasataya said. He added that the initiative aims to bridge the gap between local transport workers and national welfare programs, easing the daily financial burden carried by operators and drivers, thereby maintaining the stability of the local public transportation network.
Farmers Also Targeted for Assistance
For the agricultural sector, Gasataya said the initial list of farmers was registered in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) of the DA. He stressed that aside from transport groups, the city government also targets to include farmers in the financial assistance program.
