DAVAO CITY – The Davao City government, through the City Transport and Traffic Management Office, is set to release a P5,000 subsidy for registered tricycle and motorcycle operators.

Speaking at the Pulong-Pulong sa Dabawenyos on Tuesday, April 7, Councilor Luna Acosta, chairperson of the Committee on Peace and Public Safety, said the subsidy aims to support licensed tricycle and motorcycle operators struggling with rising fuel prices.

The councilor said that the subsidy, sourced from local government funds, is separate from the Department of Social Welfare and Development's P5,000 cash relief assistance under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

"Beneficiaries of the DSWD's program are ineligible for the city's subsidy. This measure ensures that the limited funds can be fairly distributed and reach all those in need of assistance," Acosta said.

She said legitimate operators must submit a valid permit and driver's license to the CTTMO to qualify for the subsidy. She added that the city government is now profiling beneficiaries.

The Davao City Tricycle Alliance is pushing for a P20 minimum fare due to the continued, significant increases in gasoline prices.

In a petition dated March 24, they appealed to Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, through Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte II and the City Council during their regular session at the Sangguniang Panlungsod, to approve a revised fare matrix.

Tricycle operators and drivers from several cooperatives, including 57 associations, attended the session to push for a fare increase after filing a request before the Committee on Transportation led by Councilor Jose Marie Bernardo Baluran.

Michael Ybañez of the Tricycle Alliance of Davao City said operating costs for drivers have effectively tripled, with many earning take-home pay of only P300 to P400 a day, and in some cases less, after deducting fuel and boundary expenses.

The group said the P10 minimum fare for the first kilometer has not changed since May 2020, despite inflation rising by more than 28 percent, and added that the current rates no longer match today's costs.

Acosta said the city is carefully weighing the fare adjustment to avoid sudden hardship for commuters. "A moderate increase, possibly P15, could be considered to balance the concerns of operators and the public," she added.

Meanwhile, Councilor Louie John Bonguyan, chairperson of the Committee on Energy and Water, said the city government is closely monitoring fuel prices and supply stability to prevent hoarding and ensure fair pricing.

Bonguyan, who is part of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for crisis management created by Mayor Duterte, explained that the city is coordinating with national agencies to prevent hoarding and abrupt price hikes.

"Although the city cannot dictate global oil prices, we ensure that Davao City monitors hoarding and price spikes, keeping commodities within the standards set by national agencies," Bonguyan said.