By Benjamin Cuaresma
Hundreds of public utility drivers in Manila have yet to receive government fuel subsidies despite multiple rollouts this year, transport groups reported this week.
The exclusion persists as pump prices stay elevated due to Middle East tensions, further straining jeepney, UV Express, and tricycle operators.
Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian said his office is investigating why qualified drivers were not included in the fuel subsidy payout.
While the Fuel Subsidy Program is led by the DOTr and LTFRB, DSWD assists in beneficiary validation and grievance handling for social protection programs.
“We’re looking into the reports that legitimate drivers were left out. We want to know where the gap is — whether it’s in the list, the validation, or the disbursement — and fix it,” Gatchalian said. He directed DSWD field offices to coordinate with LTFRB and LGUs to cross-check names and fast-track appeals.
Transport leaders said many registered PUJ, PUB, taxi, and TNVS drivers were excluded from recent batches even after submitting complete requirements. Some were delisted due to outdated LTFRB records, while others said their names never appeared on any masterlist.
“Marami pa rin kaming kasamahan na walang natatanggap mula pa noong unang bigayan. Pero araw-araw kaming namamasada at bumibili ng diesel na mahal,” said a jeepney driver from Tondo.
Small and medium operators are hit hardest as they absorb fuel volatility linked to the Middle East conflict while paying boundary and maintenance costs.
The fuel crunch is also rippling across other sectors. The United Broiler Raisers Association earlier noted that Filipinos prioritize key expenditures such as fuel, leading to softer demand for chicken and a collapse in farmgate prices to as low as P65/kilo.
Transport groups urged DOTr and LTFRB to release a supplemental list and set up a centralized grievance desk at Manila City Hall to process appeals faster. They said immediate relief is critical as fuel costs remains.
The LTFRB said it continues to cleanse its database to remove duplicates, inactive franchises, and deceased operators. It advised excluded drivers to submit updated documents through their local transport office.
ia/xf
