The City Council has approved an ordinance on “public transportation subsidy” for the entire GCQ period Monday, with funds coming from the city government’s savings on fuel and City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).
City Budget Officer (CBO) Regina Cantillo during the regular session on Monday, May 4, stated it was due to the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) that the city government saved a considerable amount from its fund for “fuel, oil, and lubricants”.
“Dahil natigil ‘yong implementation natin ng mga pricings and programs, so mga dalawang buwan na savings ang na-generate natin. Savings natin from fuel, oil, and lubricants under the City Engineering Office and City Mayor’s Office,” said Cantillo.
Cantillo said a total of P5,510,000 was allotted for this entire general community quarantine (GCQ) transportation subsidy project, of which the “P4,410,000 gas subsidy” was from the fuel allocation savings and the “P1,100,000 cash subsidy” was from the financial assistance budget under the CSWDO.
Transportation committee chair, Councilor Atty. Jimbo Maristela said that in the present Puerto Princesa has more than 6,000 tricycles with franchises and permits, and around 500 registered multicab units.
These public utility vehicles (PUVs) will be allowed to carry passengers during the GCQ, provided they observe strict social distancing.
Cantillo noted that 100 multicabs per day, from May 5 to 15, will receive 12 liters of fuel each and a cash subsidy of P1,000 to be equally divided by its owner and driver.
On the other hand, Cantillo added 3,125 tricycle units will be provided daily with two liters of fuel each.
“Nagbibigay po tayo ng subsidy doon sa multicab or jeepney sapagkat ito po ay libreng sakay. Libreng sakay po kaya po sinu-subsidize na po natin ‘yan. Katulad ng nabanggit natin kanina, lalagyan ng marka ‘yong mga pampublikong sasakyan na ito na dito ay libreng sakay,” said majority floor leader Councilor Victor Oliveros.
She added it was Caltex that won the bidding to supply the fuel needed for this project.
Councilor Maristela said tricycles will have their turn daily according to the set color coding, while all the multicabs in the city will also be catered through groups of 100 units per day.
Atty. Anna Fatima Chavez, assistant city legal counsel said the city government through this project compensates the economic loss of the public utility vehicles (PUVs) in Puerto Princesa, however she also suggested that in order to stretch further its budget must let the citizens shoulder portion of their fare.
“Para po mas ma-stretch pa natin ‘yong budget natin for a longer period. Dahil ‘yong understanding namin ng social distancing, this will be the new normal until ‘yong danger to public health and safety would no longer subsist. Iyon ‘yong isa po naming point of view na maybe should be considered by the council,” said Chavez.
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