Tricycle drivers across the Philippines are urging the government to speed up the distribution of fuel subsidies amid surging fuel prices recently, according to TODA Partylist.
TODA Partylist 1st Nominee Rovin Feliciano said that tricycle drivers are suffering from the recent increases in fuel prices across the country.
"Talaga umaalma na at talagang hirap na hirap na ang ating mga tricycle driver sa halos linggo-linggo na pagtaas ng presyo ng gasolina," Feliciano told DZRH in an interview.
(Our tricycle drivers are really resisting and suffering from the almost weekly price increase of gasoline.)
"Kung kaya't ang panawagan nga po ng mga tricycle drivers natin, kasama po ang TODA Partylist, ay mapabilis ang pagpapababa ng fuel subsidy ng ating national government," he added.
(Which is why tricycle drivers, as well as the TODA Partylist, are calling for the faster distribution of fuel subsidy from the national government.)
According to Feliciano, drivers are calling for the subsidy because even they do not want to hike fare prices for commuters, who in turn are not receiving higher salaries despite increasing prices of commodities.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board previously halted the distribution of fuel subsidies for public utility vehicles to comply with COMELEC's Ban on Disbursement amid the election season.
However, this was later resumed by the poll body, saying that it just wants the project to be "properly implemented."
"Kaya sabi namin pabilisin natin ang pag-implement ng fuel subsidy dahil pinayagan na po ng Commission on Elections (COMELEC) ang pagbibigay ng fuel subsidy sa ating mga kababayan na tricycle driver," Feliciano said.
(This is why we are saying that we need to speed up the implementation of fuel subsidy because the Commission on Elections already allowed the distribution of fuel subsidy to tricycle drivers.)
TODA Partylist is an advocacy group seeking a Congress seat in the national and local elections this May. It recently received the endorsement of President Rodrigo Duterte.
According to Feliciano, tricycle drivers can be guaranteed that they will have a voice in government in pushing for their rights and benefits if they are elected.
"Kasama na po ang pagsasabatas ng Magna Carta for Tricycle Drivers," said the nominee.
(This includes the passing of the Magna Carta for Tricycle Drivers.)
He added that they will push for the Oil Price Stabilization Fund, price hikes on gasoline, and a review on the Oil Deregulation Law. They also said they are pushing for long-term plans for tricycle drivers across the country.
