CAGAYAN DE ORO – A federation of modern jeepney and bus operators has temporarily suspended operations as fuel prices surge, with a war thousands of miles away sending shockwaves through the city’s public transport sector.
The PN Roa Canitoan Transport Cooperative (PONTRASCO) stopped fielding its buses starting Monday after diesel prices spiked by as much as P18.80 per liter, according to cooperative president Luzviminda Escobidal.
Escobidal said the fleet will remain grounded “until further notice,” or until fuel prices stabilize and the government releases promised fuel and food subsidies for transport workers.
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Meanwhile, officials from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Region 10 and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 10 said assistance to affected drivers will begin rolling out Wednesday.
LTFRB-10 Director Alexis Joseph Bendijo said the names of 4,884 taxi drivers have already been submitted to DSWD for subsidy distribution.
Lists for jeepney, multi-cab, motorcycle taxi, and bus drivers are still being finalized.
“The release of the subsidies will come in waves. We are still waiting for the fuel subsidy,” Bendijo said.
DSWD-10 information officer Roshiel Galia said tricycle drivers in Northern Mindanao will receive a one-time P5,000 cash grant under the agency’s Cash Relief Assistance program starting Wednesday.
The aid will be distributed simultaneously in regional centers, including Cagayan de Oro, El Salvador, Gingoog, Malaybalay, Valencia, Tangub, Oroquieta, and Ozamiz.
Galia said Iligan City is not included due to the absence of a localized Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA).
She advised other public transport sectors to monitor announcements from their respective agencies regarding the rollout of fuel and food assistance.
