Baguio rolls out distribution of P5,000 cash aid to drivers
COMMUTERS line up for a ride home in Baguio City. (Baguio City PIO FB)
BAGUIO CITY – At least 1,300 jeepney drivers will each receive P5,000 from the local government as assistance to the sector, the first of a series until the situation in the Middle East stabilizes, Mayor Benjamin Magalong said on Thursday.
“Hindi puwedeng one time. Magbibigay ulit kami. Iba pa ‘yung dagdag sa mga nagse-service ng libreng sakay (We cannot hand out the aid in a single payout. There will be another round. We also have a separate assistance for those rendering free rides). We also have financial assistance arrangements for jeepney associations,” Magalong said in an interview.
Drivers of taxis and other public utilities will receive assistance next. Magalong stressed that those in the transport sector were being prioritized since they are among those most affected by the energy emergency as the cost of fuel in the city has now more than doubled.
Prices of diesel in Baguio now range from P125 to P133 a liter.
“We need to address ‘yung napaka habang pila ng mga pasahero pagdating ng gabi (the long queue of commuters at night). The other day umabot ng mga 10:30 p.m. pero kahapon na-monitor naman natin na may significant change, mga 9 p.m. maayos na. Epekto iyan ng pagbibigay natin ng ayuda at nag commit naman ang ating mga drivers and associations na mag-detail ng sakayan pag dating ng gabi (there were still lines at 10:30 pm. Yesterday, however, we saw significant change and by 9 p.m., the situation has improved. That is the effect of our assistance and drivers have committed to deploy jeepneys in the evening),” the mayor said.
He said that the city has an initial fund of P10 million for the transport sector and is continuing to look for resources to ease the burden of the public. He added that the city had earlier received P56 million for its rice program.
“We would like to assure residents that after the transport sector, we will give (aid) to indigents, the poorest of poor and members and the urban poor," he said.
“No politician will be involved in the distribution, it will all be done by the city social welfare office,” the mayor added in Filipino. (PNA)