National government fuel subsidies for public transportation drivers and farmers are expected to be released soon.
In anticipation of the rollout, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Negros Island (LTFRB-NIR) Regional Director Gerry Llena appealed to local government officials on Tuesday, March 10, to allocate counterpart funds to increase the assistance.
He said that, so far, the LTFRB-NIR has not received any petition for a fare hike, and he is appealing to the transport sector to instead wait for the subsidies.
The Bacolod Alliance for Commuters Operators Driver’s Negros Island-Manibela will not seek a fare increase, recognizing the immediate hardship it would cause commuters and the resulting domino effect on the economy, its president Rudy Catedral said.
Instead they are calling for a LTFRB fuel subsidy and aid from the local government, he said.
“The LTFRB will roll out a fuel subsidy. I’m just waiting for the guidelines that will come from Manila and I’m sure it will come very soon, maybe this week,” he said.
Llena said he is also appealing to the NIR mayors, governors, and congressmen to come out with counterpart fuel subsidies to further cushion the effect of rising fuel prices on the transport sector.
He said he met with mayors of Negros Oriental and they agreed to his proposal to come up with counterpart subsidies.
Department of Agriculture (DA) NIR Regional Director Albert Barrogo said he is also awaiting confirmation on the DA fuel subsidies for farmers and fishermen.
“We are formulating a policy and schedule now. Once finalized, we will release it (fuel subsidy) as soon as possible,” DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said on Tuesday.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Provincial Director Lynna Joy Cardinal said that, so far, there have been no changes in the prices of basic commodities in Negros Occidental.
She also said the province has a sufficient supply of basic commodities.
Cardinal said they are appealing to retailers not to take advantage of the situation and to avoid hoarding, although so far they have not monitored any such violations.*
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