CAGAYAN DE ORO — The City Council has declared a state of energy emergency as thousands of public transport operators and drivers struggle with spiraling diesel prices that have reportedly reached P150 per liter.
The emergency measure, unanimously approved by the 16 majority and minority members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod during a special session Tuesday morning, will allow the city government to release P441 million from its disaster funds to provide fuel and food subsidies to affected drivers.
Councilor Edgar Cabanlas, the council’s majority leader, said tricycle operators and drivers will receive P2,000 assistance starting Wednesday, on top of the P5,000 one-time aid from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Read related story: Oro declares energy emergency, unlocks aid fund
“We are giving out the ayuda on a staggered basis to affected sectors, especially public transport operators and drivers,” Cabanlas said.
The city government is also considering extending assistance to persons with disabilities (PWDs), solo parents, senior citizens, fishermen, and farmers if funds remain from the P441 million calamity fund.
Cabanlas said the city drew the amount from the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund, which equals five percent of its ₱8.8-billion annual budget.
You may also like: P5K cash aid set for trike drivers in 8 Normin cities
Meanwhile, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Region 10 Director Alexis Joseph Bendijo said the agency will also distribute P5,000 each to more than 4,000 affected jeepney drivers under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program starting Wednesday.
