GAMBITO (center). (Gov. Jose Gambito FB)
The provincial government of Nueva Vizcaya will provide fuel subsidy to tricycle drivers to ease the impact of oil price increases.
Gov. Jose Gambito said Friday that the provincial government increased the budget for the fuel subsidy from ₱18 million to ₱33 million and the assistance is expected to be distributed within two to three weeks.
The list of beneficiaries has been prepared since the provincial government had provided similar assistance to tricycle drivers.
More than 10,000 tricycle drivers from Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations (TODA) in 15 municipalities are expected to benefit from the program.
Some “abal-abal” drivers — single motorcycles used for public transport in mountainous areas where tricycles cannot travel — may also receive assistance.
The provincial government has intensified monitoring of prime commodities and petroleum products to prevent possible overpricing amid rising fuel costs.
Gambito added that while the provincial government cannot fully stop price increases caused by global factors such as tensions in the Middle East, the goal of their measures is to protect consumers from excessive markups.