Marcos admin urged to come up with regular fuel subsidy

On the heels of the Marcos administration’s extension of the free ride scheme in the EDSA bus carousel until the end of 2022, members of the transport sector are asking the government to continue the implementation of fuel subsidy to riders and drivers affected by the high price of petroleum products.

Jun De Leon of Laban TNVS said transport app workers might also be forced to stop their activities without additional aid.

Transport app drivers park in areas of Quezon City while waiting to be booked by passengers.

They say that while they continue to earn despite high oil prices, they try to find ways to skimp on fuel costs. #PricePatrol | via @anjo_bagaoisan

Related: https://t.co/s2pgvfTJvN pic.twitter.com/0iofskl1YJ

— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) July 2, 2022

“Hindi ka na mananawagan ng tigil-pasada. Kusa na silang tumitigil dahil lugi po eh. Kung makikita mo ang mga taxi, ang mga jeep, TNVS, talagang pumaparada na. At nakakatakot pati ‘yong mga motorcycle taxi, kahit matipid ito sa gasolina, ay tumigil na rin,” he told ABS-CBN TeleRadyo on Friday.

“Hindi sapat ang libreng sakay at kailangan po ito. Kaya panawagan natin sa bagong administrasyon ng pangulo natin na si Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na tignan po kung papaano matulungan ang transport sector.”

De Leon added the subsidy they have received under the Duterte administration was not enough.

Angkas rider Alfredo Jucom hopes their sector gets continued fuel subsidy, recalling the P6,500 aid he received last June helped him when he was forced to stop riding for 4 days.

“Pero kung ibababa naman nila ‘yong [presyo ng] gasolina, ok lang naman kahit walang ayuda.” pic.twitter.com/E0ZAI9jqQG

— Anjo Bagaoisan (@anjo_bagaoisan) July 2, 2022

Motorcycle taxi riders like Alfredo Jocum agree with the benefits of regular aid.

His P6,500 subsidy last June came in handy for their expenses when he could not take rides for 4 days that month.

But for him, more than aid, government should address the high cost of fuel.

Despite an incoming set of price rollbacks this week, Jocum fears it would only be offset by another slew of price hikes.

• Price rollback forecast for diesel, kerosene next week

“Kung sa taas talaga ng gasolina lagi, dapat talaga mayroon (ayuda) kasi ang hirap naman din ng biyahe. Pero kung ibababa naman nila ‘yong [presyo ng] gasolina, ok lang naman kahit walang ayuda, kahit papaano sa ano namin, nakakaraos kami ng biyahe,” he said.

However, other TNVS drivers such as Michael Llave are still waiting to get their share of the subsidy.

To save on gas, Llave like many drivers resorted to staying at one place while waiting for bookings.

“Minsan nakakauwi ako kulang-kulang mga 1,500 mahigit. Kasi may mga loan pa kami sa Grab, e binabawas sa amin ng Grab. Pero okay lang,” he said.

“Ganoon talaga eh. Antaas. Pero minsan may mga gasolinahang mabababa ang price. Tiyagaan na lang.”

Transport group Stop & Go Coalition said it prefers subsidy to be given out instead of removing the excise tax to cut oil prices.

The group’s president Zaldy Ping-ay said via text message to ABS-CBN News they are calling on the Marcos administration to implement fairness in the subsidy distribution.

“Ang panawagan lang namin ay isaayos ang pagbibigay ng mga subsidiya. Ang tax kasi ay parang alkansiya natin ‘yan para in case na may biglaan na pangangailangan may dudukutin ang gobyerno,” Ping-ay said.

“Sana naman yung fuel subsidy ay dapat maipamahagi nang maayos hindi lang selective. Tutal sa part naman ng pasahero ay extended ulit yung free ride sa EDSA carousel kaya dapat meron din monthly na fuel subsidy sa hanay namin.”

The Department of Budget and Management said in June they are looking for funds to continue with the subsidy.

• DBM looking for budget to continue fuel subsidy for public utility drivers

Marcos, who said he will prioritize aid over suspending the excise tax, has yet to appoint an energy secretary.

• Marcos Jr. says oil excise tax suspension a 'blanket' solution, wants to prioritize 'ayuda'