Transport workers in Iloilo City are set to receive financial assistance as the local government rolls out a fuel subsidy program to help ease the burden of rising petroleum costs. The initiative aims to support public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators who have been affected by the continued increase in fuel prices linked to global tensions in the Middle East.
The Iloilo City government has allocated P3 million for the program, which is expected to benefit around 1,700 to 2,000 drivers operating within the city. Officials said the subsidy is intended to provide immediate relief to the transport sector while fuel prices remain volatile.
Monthly Fuel Assistance for Drivers
Under the program, drivers and operators of public utility vehicles such as traditional jeepneys and modern jeepneys will receive fuel subsidy coupons worth P1,500 per month. The assistance will be distributed through their respective transport cooperatives and corporations.
“We initiated this program because we see the significant impact of the Middle East conflict on our transport sector,” Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas said in a statement.
“From drivers, operators, and cooperatives down to ordinary commuters, the effects of petroleum price hikes will surely be felt. While this is not a sure fix, we will do what we can by extending subsidies,” she added.
City officials are also exploring the possibility of extending similar assistance to tricycle and taxi drivers in Iloilo City. Under the proposal being studied, tricycle drivers holding valid franchises may receive monthly subsidies ranging from P500 to P1,500, depending on program guidelines.
Eligibility and Distribution System
To qualify for the subsidy, the public utility vehicle must be actively operating along an Iloilo City route. The driver or operator must also be a bona fide resident of the city and possess a valid driver’s license. Operators are required to present a valid Certificate of Public Convenience or franchise, while the vehicle must be included in the validated master list of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.
The city’s Atipan Center, a one-stop social services hub launched in August last year, will oversee the distribution and documentation of the fuel subsidy coupons. According to the mayor, the coupons will remain valid until Dec. 31, 2026, depending on the availability of funds.
Fuel prices in the Philippines have continued to climb, with gasoline increasing by P1.90 per liter, diesel rising by P1.20 per liter and kerosene by P1.50 per liter. The surge has been linked to conflicts involving the United States, Iran and Israel, which have affected shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a key passageway for about 20 percent of the world’s oil supply.
City officials said the subsidy program will continue while the local government monitors developments in the global oil market. The initiative may be reassessed once the national government introduces broader measures to address rising petroleum prices.
For many drivers and commuters in the country, the subsidy represents a small but meaningful step in coping with higher transportation costs. By helping transport workers manage rising fuel expenses, the program may also help stabilize fares and ensure that daily travel remains accessible for ordinary Filipinos.
