By CESAR JOLITO III

The Bacolod City government is now consolidating a master list of registered tricycle drivers and operators in preparation for the national government’s fuel subsidy program, a move aimed at ensuring qualified beneficiaries receive financial assistance once it is rolled out.

Councilor Dindo Ramos, chair of the City Council Committee on Transportation and Traffic, said the local government is working closely with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), which already maintains a database of registered public utility jeepneys and buses.

To complete the roster, the city has requested data from the mayor’s office, particularly records of registered tricycles under the Business Permit and Licensing Division.

The finalized list will be submitted to the national government as the basis for subsidy distribution.

Ramos clarified that only drivers and operators with valid 2025 mayor’s permits will be included in the official list, effectively excluding unregistered or “colorum” units from the program.

He added that while preparations are underway, the city has yet to receive detailed guidelines from the national government regarding the mechanics of the fuel subsidy.

Funds are expected to be coursed through the LTFRB once the program is implemented.

Meanwhile, the city government is also studying the possibility of extending additional assistance to affected drivers at the local level as fuel costs continue to impact the transport sector./CJ, WDJ