By Mae Singuay

Tricycle drivers in Bacolod City will each receive a one-time financial assistance of P1,000 following the implementation of City Ordinance 1003, or the Fuel Subsidy Program.

The ordinance will provide a fuel subsidy for tricycle-for-hire drivers with existing valid franchises issued by the city government.

A P5 million budget was allocated for the implementation of the ordinance, which was approved on August 17, 2022.

Only five Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations (TODAs) were now on the list to receive the subsidy after they complied with all the required documents.

Based on the ordinance, there were 5,610 tricycles-for-hire from 76 TODAs with existing franchises.

The implementation of the ordinance was due to the high retail prices of gasoline in many countries.

“The national government, through the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, has provided fuel subsidies to jeepney drivers but tricycle drivers who are also utilizing fuel in their livelihood have not received such benefit,” Councilor Em Ang said.

She added that it is imperative of the city to also provide fuel subsidies for more than 5,000 TODA members, as relief from the unprecedented increase in gasoline prices in the country.

The cash aid distribution started yesterday at the City Mayor’s Office. The ongoing aid distribution will be held at the City Treasurer’s Office.

The city will continue to receive requirements from other TODAs to avail of the subsidy./MS, WDJ