Capitol readies rice, fuel subsidies for drivers, free rides for commuters

Local

CEBU province is set to cushion the impact of fuel hikes with rice and fuel aid for drivers and free bus services for commuters.

Gov. Pamela Baricuatro said on Wednesday, March 18, that the provincial government is preparing a package of fuel and rice subsidies for drivers, including informal “habal-habal” operators, while rolling out a P20-million free ride program to ease rising fuel costs for transport workers and commuters.

She added that the government is finalizing guidelines for the targeted assistance, which aims to cover all transport sectors, including those outside formal or franchised groups.

“There is a rice and fuel subsidy, but we are still working on the guidelines. We will announce once the guidelines are in place,” Baricuatro said.

She added that discussions are ongoing this week, with provincial officials coordinating with the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). A meeting with department heads has already been convened to firm up the framework.

The governor said the rollout would proceed “as soon as possible” once guidelines are completed, noting that the province is also working with the National Food Authority (NFA) for the distribution of 20 kilos of rice per beneficiary at the Capitol.

Assistant Provincial Administrator Aldwin Empaces said the province is taking a sectoral approach to ensure no group is left out, particularly habal-habal drivers, who play a crucial role in Cebu’s transport system but are often excluded from formal assistance programs.

“We have to ensure the guidelines are not redundant with national programs and determine what the province will provide,” Empaces said.

He noted that while other transport sectors are already covered by existing programs, habal-habal drivers remain largely unaddressed.

“They are not part of organized, licensed groups, but they play a big role in transportation in the province. That is why we are looking at them as a priority sector,” he added.

The province is also set to launch a “Libreng Sakay” (free ride) program after receiving P20 million from the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

Empaces said the program will initially cover routes from Danao City to Cebu City and from Carcar City to Cebu City, aimed at assisting commuters traveling from the north and south.

“We have already received P20 million from the DOTr to launch the Libreng Sakay program to help our passengers,” he said.

The province is still determining the number of buses to deploy and is preparing a proposal for final approval. Baricuatro said the provincial government is also in the process of identifying partner bus companies.

Baricuatro dismissed concerns that the free ride program might compete with existing transport operators, saying it is designed to augment—not disrupt—the sector.

“I don’t think it will affect them. If anything, it will augment services,” she said, noting that participating buses will follow fixed departure schedules regardless of passenger load.

“Unlike regular buses that wait to be filled, these will leave at a scheduled time, with or without passengers,” she added.

Empaces said the program is envisioned to complement the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) system by serving as a feeder network, particularly for commuters coming from outside the city.

“Passengers from Carcar, for example, can take the free ride going to the city, then transfer to the BRT system. This will be a big help because they will no longer need to pay fares for that portion of the trip,” he said.

The province’s planned subsidies come as the national government moves to expand fuel assistance to nearly 400,000 public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers nationwide by April, amid rising oil prices linked to tensions in the Middle East.

The program includes cash aid of up to P5,000 per driver and is expected to cover various transport sectors, including motorcycle taxi and bus drivers.

National officials have also announced plans to expand free ride programs, tapping both government vehicles and contracted buses to ease commuting costs.(TGP)