BACOLOD CITY – In a significant move to support local transport workers, House Deputy Speaker and Bacolod City Lone District Representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez personally provided a P1,000 fuel subsidy to a total of 1,780 public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers on Thursday, April 16, 2026. This initiative, funded entirely from Benitez's personal resources, aims to alleviate the financial burden on drivers grappling with escalating fuel costs in the region.
Direct Assistance for Essential Workers
Benitez emphasized the critical role of PUJ drivers in the community, stating, "At a time when fuel prices are rising, we must not abandon our drivers who serve our community every day." The subsidy is expected to benefit drivers from various transport groups across Bacolod City, many of whom are experiencing severe financial strain due to the ongoing oil crisis and fluctuating fuel prices. To ensure immediate and practical support, the assistance was distributed through fuel subsidy cards, making it readily usable for their daily operations and livelihood needs.
Part of Broader Relief Efforts
This fuel subsidy program is part of Benitez's continuing initiatives to deliver responsive and immediate relief to essential sectors, particularly those most vulnerable to economic challenges. By targeting PUJ drivers, the lawmaker addresses a key group affected by the broader economic pressures facing low-income transport workers nationwide.
Senator Escudero Advocates for Excluded Tricycle Drivers
In a related development, Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero has taken up the cause for at least 500 tricycle drivers in Bacolod City who were excluded from the government's fuel subsidy program. Escudero urged the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to expedite the review process and ensure that qualified drivers receive assistance without delay. In a statement, he highlighted that the situation of these drivers reflects the wider struggles of transport workers across the country, many of whom depend on daily earnings to support their families while coping with rising fuel prices.
Appeals and Documentation Process
Bacolod City records indicate that approximately 500 tricycle drivers filed appeals after being omitted from the initial beneficiary list for the DSWD's fuel subsidy and cash aid distribution, which ran from April 8 until the appeals period closed earlier this week. Dr. Richelle Verdeprado-Mangga, head of the Bacolod Department of Social Services and Development, confirmed that the names of the excluded drivers will be submitted to the National Government for reconsideration. To streamline the process, the city required documentation through the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA).
Escudero further called on the DSWD to act promptly on these appeals and reach out to qualified drivers who have yet to claim their assistance. As of Thursday, April 16, 2026, local officials reported that 56 approved beneficiaries in Bacolod still had unclaimed subsidies, underscoring the need for efficient distribution and follow-up efforts.
