TACLOBAN CITY — Public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and commuters in Eastern Visayas are set to benefit from the government’s Service Contracting Program (SCP), which has been officially rolled out by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in the region.

Launched on April 27, the program provides financial assistance to participating drivers and operators to help cushion the impact of rising fuel prices while ensuring continued public transport operations without fare increases.

Under the scheme, qualified PUV units will receive fuel subsidies equivalent to a 100-kilometer daily operation, allowing drivers to sustain their routes despite fluctuating fuel costs.

Commuters using accredited modern PUVs are also entitled to a 20 percent fare discount on weekdays. Students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities will continue to enjoy their existing statutory fare privileges on top of the reduced rates.

The LTFRB said the program is part of the national government’s efforts to protect both transport workers and passengers from the effects of volatile oil prices.

Nationwide, the Marcos administration has allocated P1 billion for the SCP, with P800 million earmarked for land transport and P200 million for maritime services. The initiative is expected to cover around 50,000 PUV units and benefit approximately 15 million passengers daily.

The agency also reminded commuters to report instances of overcharging, providing channels for complaints that should include vehicle details such as plate number, route, and fare paid.

Participating transport units are required to display official fare matrices and program signage to inform passengers of the applicable discounted rates as implementation continues across designated routes.

(BLUE REUGINE RUTHIELLE LIM NICOLAS, LNU STUDENT INTERN)

TACLOBAN CITY — City government employees here are appealing for the establishment of a free transportation service as fuel prices continue to rise, placing additional financial strain on workers amid increasing living costs.

Eden Benusa Reyes, president of the Government Association of Tacloban Employees (GATE), said the proposal was prompted by concerns over the impact of global developments, including tensions in the Middle East and the United States, which have driven fluctuations in oil prices.

Reyes said fuel costs for gasoline and diesel have started to climb again after a brief rollback, further burdening government workers.

The idea, she said, was conceived due to the expected rise in fuel prices brought about by the global situation, which directly affects employees who rely on daily transportation to and from work.

GATE initially submitted a letter in March to Mayor Alfred Romualdez requesting assistance for employees affected by transportation costs. Last week, the group followed up with another request addressed to the mayor, the Local Finance Committee, the City Administrator’s Office, and the Human Resource Management and Development Office (HRMDO), reiterating their appeal for a free ride program, particularly for employees going home after duty hours.

Reyes said many city hall employees follow staggered work schedules, with some finishing at 5 p.m., others at 6 p.m., and some at 7 p.m., making it difficult to find available transportation, especially for those residing in northern Tacloban and relocation sites.
She explained that this arrangement often leaves employees struggling to secure rides, particularly during peak hours.

The Local Finance Committee has reviewed the proposal but raised concerns on the possible funding source for fuel and operational costs if government vehicles are used.
In response, GATE suggested an alternative through a contract service arrangement with public utility vehicles.

Under the revised proposal, employees would be dropped off at designated points along existing transport routes in both northern and southern parts of the city instead of being transported directly to their homes.

Reyes said offices have already submitted lists of employees who may benefit from the program, including their work schedules and preferred drop-off points.
The HRMDO has acknowledged the request, but implementation still requires the approval of Mayor Romualdez.

(ROCHELLE MORILLA,LNU STUDENT INTERN)

TACLOBAN CITY— Delivery riders in Tacloban City secured a major labor win after the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) ruled that 126 Foodpanda riders should be classified as regular employees, entitling them to labor protections and statutory benefits.
The decision marks a significant shift in the status of app-based delivery workers, granting them greater job security and recognition under existing labor laws.

Riders welcomed the ruling, calling it a long-awaited acknowledgment of their rights and contributions in the growing delivery sector. Labor advocates also described it as a landmark decision that underscores the need to protect workers in the gig economy.

The case, according to reports, highlighted the riders’ collective action in asserting their status as employees rather than independent contractors, amid long-standing concerns over job security, compensation, and workplace protections.

Delivery rider groups urged Foodpanda and other platform-based companies to comply with the ruling and ensure fair wages, humane working conditions, and full social protection for workers moving forward.

The ruling comes amid ongoing national discussions on the rights of gig economy workers, many of whom continue to raise issues on employment security and benefits in platform-based jobs.

(GISELLE-ANN A.PADILLA,LNU STUDENT INTERN)

TACLOBAN CITY — The San Juanico Rotonda project in Barangay 97, Cabalawan is nearing completion and is poised to become a prominent landmark and key traffic solution along the San Juanico Bridge corridor by June 2026.

According to Engineer Cesar Gabriola of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Office 8, the project is now 96 percent complete, with only four percent of work remaining. Once finished, the rotunda is expected to serve as both a functional traffic improvement and a symbolic gateway to Tacloban City.

Gabriola assured the public that recent inspections confirmed the structure remains stable and free from any structural damage.

He noted that most of the remaining work is concentrated near the NitroFuel area. However, construction has faced challenges involving a cross drainage box culvert after some waterways were reportedly occupied by nearby property owners.

The DPWH is currently coordinating with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to verify the exact locations of the affected waterways.

The development comes amid ongoing rehabilitation works on the San Juanico Bridge, which underwent load restrictions earlier this year. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has expressed optimism that the bridge will be fully operational again by mid-2026, with its original 33-ton load capacity restored.

(LANCE GABRIEL G. EÑTERESO, LNU STUDENT INTERN)

ORMOC CITY — Two alleged high-value drug suspects were arrested and more than a kilo of suspected shabu was confiscated during a buy-bust operation in Barangay 94, Tigbao, Ormoc City early Tuesday, May 5.

Authorities identified the suspects as alias “Mike,” 42, a driver from Barangay 96, Calanipawan, Ormoc City, and alias “Boyet,” 41, a delivery rider from Barangay 57, White Lane Sampaguita, Tacloban City.

The operation was conducted at around 2:23 a.m. by operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG), and the Station Drug Enforcement Team of Police Station 2 of the Tacloban City Police Office.

Confiscated from the suspects were approximately 1,055 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated Dangerous Drugs Board value of P7.17 million. Authorities also recovered buy-bust money, a motorcycle, a mobile phone, bags, packaging materials, and other non-drug evidence.

The suspects were informed of their arrest and apprised of their constitutional rights in a language they understood.

Charges for violation of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 have been filed against the two suspects, who are now detained at the custodial facility of Police Station 2, TCPO.

(ROBERT DEJON)