Good news for tricycle drivers in Bacolod City, they will receive a one-time P1,000 fuel subsidy from the local government.
This, after members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod passed on final reading Wednesday, August 17, the ordinance providing fuel subsidy for all tricycles for hire with an existing valid franchise issued by the city government that was authored by Councilor Em Ang.
The subsidy will benefit 5,610 tricycle drivers in the city, she added.
Ang said this will provide the tricycle drivers a temporary relief prices of fuel recently soared to a record high.
The national government through the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has provided fuel subsidy to jeepney drivers but tricycle drivers who are also utilizing fuel in their livelihood have not received such benefit, she pointed out.
Ang has expressed optimism that the measure will be supported by Mayor Alfredo Benitez as the budget will come from his office.
Under the ordinance, the funding of the initial implementation of the program shall be taken from the available funds of the Office of the City Mayor or from any available funds of the City, subject to existing auditing and accounting rules and regulations.
“I suppose it’s okay (with the mayor). When we passed it on third reading, all councilors belonging to the majority party signified to co-author the ordinance. I’m sure it will be implemented,” Ang said.*