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Saturday, February 04, 2006
CH offers drivers fuel subsidy
Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña wants to sit down with jeepney drivers and discuss options other than a fare increase to alleviate their condition.
Among the proposals he brought up is gasoline subsidy for drivers and finance the conversion from gas-driven to liquefied petroleum gas-powered engines for public utility vehicles (PUVs).
But Anthony Pogado, chairman of the Nagkahiusang Drayber sa Sugbo (Nadsu), said what the mayor is trying to entice them with are far from being realistic.
Unlikely
“Pulos man na mga milagro nga madayon,” he said. (It’s unlikely to happen.)
Pogado cited the mayor’s earlier suggestion to ban private vehicles from main thoroughfares during the morning and afternoon rush hours, which after over a year has not yet been implemented.
He said Nadsu did not push through with its earlier plan to ask petition for a fare increase because fuel prices decreased.
But with the additional two percent to the 10 percent reformed value added tax on goods that took effect on Feb. 1 and the current trend of rising fuel cost, Pogado said they feel they have to revive their petition.
Nadsu is asking that the minimum fare in Cebu be adjusted from P6 to P7.50, like the rest of the country.
Pogado said the mayor should realize that the problem on fare does not lie on the drivers and operators but on the state that cares less about its people.
Nadsu, though, has not yet filed its petition with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 7 because it wants to consult other sectors yet.
Effects of fare hike
Osmeña, in a press conference yesterday, said he is against any increase in fare.
“I am willing to sit down with the drivers. But I will always be against an increase because of its effects on students who go to school everyday,” he said.
The mayor said though, he still has to check with the Commission on Audit whether subsidizing PUVs’ fuel needs is allowable or not.
He was willing to commit “political suicide” by pushing through with the plan to ban private vehicles in certain thoroughfares during rush hours, even though he knows businessmen will surely complain. (RHM)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (February 4, 2006 issue)
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