MARAGONDON, Cavite — Two Cavite municipalities are rolling out fuel assistance programs for transport workers as oil prices continue to climb in the wake of tensions in the Middle East.
In Maragondon, the local government distributed five liters of free gasoline each to 494 registered tricycle drivers and more than 60 motor banca operators. Councilor Miguel Arca, chairman of the Committee on Tricycle Franchising and Regulations, said the program was meant to ease the burden on drivers who depend on daily fares for their livelihood.
“This is a small gesture of help for our tricycle drivers and banca owners. Let us pray that we get through this crisis,” Arca said.
Arca said the fuel was purchased out of his own pocket, framing it as a personal expression of solidarity with workers in the transport sector.
In the neighboring town of Silang, the local government is preparing to distribute ₱1,500 fuel subsidies to some 5,000 franchised tricycle drivers. Distribution is scheduled for Thursday, March 19, after the municipal Finance Committee approved the funding for the program.
The Silang government said the subsidy aims to cushion the impact of rising fuel costs on drivers’ livelihoods.
Rising pump prices in the Philippines have been linked in part to supply concerns stemming from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has put pressure on global oil markets and squeezed transport workers who have little recourse when costs rise.
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