IMPACT OF RISING FUEL COSTS: Aid for delivery riders, PUV drivers pushed

Local

AS FUEL prices continue to rise, a Cebu City councilor is pressing for immediate assistance to workers who rely on the road for their daily income.

During a privilege speech on Tuesday, April 7, Councilor Joel Garganera called on the city government to consider targeted fuel subsidies for delivery riders, public utility drivers, and other transport-dependent sectors hit hardest by the spike in oil prices.

Garganera framed his appeal through the lens of everyday workers, particularly riders who begin their day before sunrise, navigating Cebu’s streets while managing shrinking take-home pay.

“Let us be honest about what is happening,” he told fellow council members.

He pointed to global tensions that have disrupted oil supply and driven up fuel costs, with cascading effects on electricity and food prices.

He noted that the Philippines, which relies heavily on imported oil, remains vulnerable to such external shocks, leaving local workers to absorb the impact.

“When big boys fight, it is always the small ones who bleed,” Garganera said.

The councilor emphasized that the burden is not limited to riders, but extends to a broader group of Filipinos, from public transport drivers and market vendors to minimum-wage earners and low-income households, now grappling with higher daily expenses.

To mitigate the impact, Garganera proposed a set of measures.

This includes the exploration of fuel assistance programs, expanded support for public transportation, and stricter monitoring of fuel and basic commodity prices.

He also urged the promotion of alternative transport options, such as electric vehicles and bike lanes, and called for closer coordination with national agencies to roll out emergency interventions.

Among his motions were requests for the Office of the Mayor to study local fuel subsidy programs, for the Department of Energy (DOE) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to intensify oversight, and for the Department of Social Welfare Services (DSWS) to identify families in need of immediate aid.

Garganera also cited “Gasolina,” a short film by Cebuano content creator Joseph “Ungart” Sabello, which depicts the struggles of a delivery rider coping with rising fuel costs.

He commended the filmmaker for bringing attention to the issue and for pledging the film’s proceeds to affected workers.

“This speech is me saying: we see you. But seeing is not enough. This August body must act,” he said.

The City Council has taken note of the speech and referred the proposed measures to concerned offices for further evaluation.(TGP)