Pam, Nestor to nat’l gov’t: Provide clear timeline on distribution of cash aid amid soaring fuel costs

Local

LOCAL leaders in Cebu are pressing the national government to provide a clear timeline for fuel aid and rationing as diesel prices climb toward P129 per liter, raising fears of shortages and long lines at gas stations.

Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival and Gov. Pamela Baricuatro raised the issue during the Regional Development Council-Central Visayas (RDC-7) Full Council Meeting on Monday, March 30, emphasizing that planning alone is insufficient without concrete deadlines.

“We understand that from now until June, there is a constant increase in the prices,” Archival said.

“Now, P129 is very high for the drivers," he added, questioning whether authorities have a system to stabilize fuel or ration supplies if shortages occur.

Archival asked whether authorities have a plan for rationing fuel if shortages occur, warning that unclear procedures could trigger panic buying.

He suggested designating fuel stations per barangay to ensure fair distribution and emphasized that the scheme must be clear and well-structured.

Baricuatro pointed to uneven aid distribution, noting that Metro Manila residents have already received support while many areas outside the capital have not.

“What is the timeline here? Because it’s already being given in Manila, but outside, there is none,” she said.

Desiree Joy O. Narvaez, director of the National Policy and Planning Staff, said the government is finalizing operational guidelines for fuel management, including rationing measures for priority sectors such as food and health.

She confirmed consultations are ongoing with the Executive Secretary and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., and a draft schedule is expected next week.

The Department of Energy is also preparing its rationing system and will inform local governments of any pilot programs.

Narvaez added that broad subsidies are unfeasible due to limited fiscal resources, so targeted aid will focus on drivers, farmers, fisherfolk, and vulnerable households.

The government is also considering suspending excise taxes to lower diesel by P6 per liter and gasoline by P10, though these measures may not fully offset global price surges.

“We do recognize that that will not be enough,” she said.

Archival and Baricuatro stressed that local authorities need immediate clarity to prepare for potential fuel shortages in the coming months.

Earlier this month, during a briefing at Bagong Pilipinas Studios Visayas in Mandaue City, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro announced that the national government would expand fuel aid to transport workers outside Metro Manila after Holy Week.

She said more than 26,000 public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators in Cebu would receive a one-time P5,000 subsidy.

The government has already distributed fuel subsidies to nearly 139,000 tricycle drivers in Metro Manila.

The next batch will cover 261,156 transport workers in the capital region, including TNVS drivers, motorcycle taxi riders, bus drivers, and jeepney operators.

In Central Visayas, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board data indicate that 26,833 PUV drivers and operators in Cebu—including jeepney, bus, taxi, and transport network vehicle service drivers—are eligible for the P5,000 subsidy.

Distribution will occur through fuel cards or direct cash transfers, depending on beneficiaries’ existing accounts.

Drivers who are also operators may receive both subsidies, while informal transport workers, such as habal-habal drivers, may apply for assistance through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.(MyTVCebu)