The Baguio City government has earmarked ₱20 million to provide cash assistance to public transport drivers as part of its response to the ongoing fuel crisis, which prompted the declaration of a state of calamity.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the funds were sourced from the city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund, with jeepney drivers already receiving their aid and taxi drivers set to benefit within the week.
“Unang-una, ginamit natin dito sa financial assistance natin sa transport sector. Natapos natin yung PUJ drivers, itong week natin bibigyan din naman natin yung taxi drivers. The total amount for the transport sector is around ₱20 million,” Magalong told reporters.
In addition, the city has allocated another ₱5 million to distribute ₱3,000 each to about 1,600 financially challenged residents.
“Iba pa ‘yung ire-release ulit natin ngayon na ₱3,000 for those financially challenged naman, this is about ₱5 million naman. Around 1,600 plus ang beneficiaries nito,” Magalong added.
The declaration of a state of calamity allowed the local government to tap disaster funds to cushion the impact of energy supply disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict.
Soaring fuel prices have severely affected the city’s tourism sector, with visitor arrivals dropping by as much as 50 percent during Holy Week.
In response, the city rolled out free rides and an emergency mobility program to ease the burden on transport operators and help revive tourism amid rising fuel costs.