Fuel subsidy yet to arrive for Catanduanes trike drivers

Tricycle drivers in Catanduanes are yet to receive the fuel subsidy promised by the government before the national elections last year.

In June 2022, tricycle drivers submitted documents to their respective local government units (LGUs) that will then submit it to the Department of Interior and Local Governance (DILG) Catanduanes.

DILG Catanduanes is responsible for creating the masterlist that it will forward to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Bicol (LTFRB-Bicol).

However, it is still unknown if when the subsidy will be distributed.

More than 300 beneficiaries were still waiting for the fuel subdidy in the San Andres town.

San Andres councilor Joal Cocjin has questioned the overdued release of the said subsidy, especially that drivers need it nowadays due to the high oil prices.

Cocjin also cleared that each beneficiary will only get 1,000 pesos amid the rumors of beneficiaries receiving 6,000 pesos.

Last year, oil prices worldwide drastically increased due to high demands after strict coronaviruse disease (COVID-19) lockdowns.

Moreover, Russia's invasion of Ukraince on February 24, 2022, forced the European Union (EU), United Nations (UN), and other countries to impose sanctions that cut down oil supply.

Russia is one of the top five oil producers globally with 10.78 million barrels per day produced or 11 percent of the world's total.

Public transportation in the Philippines was affected by these factors and the government allotted over five-billion pesos fuel subsidy for all public utility vehicles, including tricycle drivers. (RN Virac)