TACLOBAN CITY — The municipal government of Arteche in Eastern Samar has launched a localized fuel subsidy program to cushion the impact of rising oil prices on tricycle drivers, marking one of several grassroots initiatives in Eastern Visayas aimed at supporting the transport sector.
The program, known as the Toda Gas Incentive Fund, targets at least 114 registered tricycle drivers in the town who have been affected by the continued surge in fuel costs, largely driven by global supply constraints and tensions in the Middle East.
Vice Mayor Roland Boie Evardone said each qualified beneficiary will receive P1,000 worth of assistance in the form of fuel vouchers. The aid will be distributed in increments of P 200 per voucher to ensure that it is used solely for fuel purchases.
Local officials said the voucher system was adopted to guarantee that the subsidy directly addresses the drivers’ operational needs, preventing misuse of funds.
While the initial rollout covers tricycle drivers, the local government is also exploring the expansion of the program to other sectors, including habal-habal drivers, motorboat operators, and registered fishing boat owners. Profiling of potential beneficiaries is currently underway to determine the scope of the possible expansion.
The initiative comes as local governments across the region seek to mitigate the economic impact of fluctuating fuel prices on vulnerable sectors.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
