Senator Hontiveros calls for wider cash aid as fuel prices skyrocket

Senator Risa Hontiveros urged for the release of cash assistance from a proposed P30 billion emergency fund to support more public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and transport cooperatives, including those not classified among the “poorest of the poor.”

In a letter dated March 19, Hontiveros asked the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to clarify how the P30 billion allocation under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) Program can be repurposed to reach hundreds of thousands of affected drivers and cooperative members instead.

“Sumulat tayo sa DBM para magtanong at maniguro sa agarang pag-abot ng tulong sa PUV drivers at transport coop members mula sa P30 billion na naset-aside para sa transport sector. Hirap kumita at baon na sa utang ang ating mga tsuper, at nasuspinde pa ang P1 fare hike. Huwag nating hintayin na maparalisa ang buong public transport system bago tayo tumulong,” Hontiveros said.

In her letter, the senator emphasized that assistance should extend to all PUV drivers, noting that “even those not currently classified under the poorest of the poor, require urgent supplemental income.”

Hontiveros said an initial technical review showed that current fuel prices are forcing drivers to incur daily losses exceeding P1,000 per vehicle.

“This revenue gap persists even after accounting for the combined effects of the excise tax suspension and the current fuel subsidy,” she said.

She stressed that transport cooperatives likewise need financial support, as rising fuel costs have made it difficult to maintain operations normal resulting in reduced routes and fewer trips for drivers.

"Sa ngayon, walang ayuda ang idadaan sa transport cooperatives, kaya tuloy natetengga ang kanilang mga tsuper, lalo na ngayong inatras pa ang fare hike. Kailangan natin sila suportahan bilang transport service providers, hindi lang bilang persons in a crisis situation," she said.

“Without a clear mechanism to ensure DSWD support reaches them, we face a distressing paralysis of our public transport system,” Hontiveros added.

The senator also pushed for backing her proposed supplemental budget measure amounting to P52.8 billion, which includes a P12 billion transport subsidy for PUV drivers, delivery riders, and Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) drivers. Part of the subsidy will fund an expanded service contracting program under the Department of Transportation.

“We need to drastically expand the subsidies being provided to our kababayans in this difficult time. Hindi imposible ang pagpasa at paghahanap ng pondo para sa supplemental budget, kaya dapat natin iyang pag-aralan at pagsikapan,” she said.