PRESIDENTIAL candidate and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso is urging the government to hasten the release of subsidies for those in the transportation and agriculture sectors, who are affected by the unabated increase in fuel prices.
Domagoso, who was in Negros Occidental Wednesday, March 16, 2022, also called on the local transport groups, who are set to hold a two-day strike on March 21 and 22, to bear with the government.
"I know they cannot just ask for a fare rate hike because the drivers’ families will also be affected,” Damagoso said in an ambush interview at the San Diego Pro Cathedral in Silay City.
The government is threshing out the guidelines on fuel subsidies for both the transportation and agricultural sectors as global oil prices spiked because of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier ordered the release of the P2.6-billion transport subsidy to ease the situation.
“This is a hard time but we have to give chance to the government, let us cooperate with the government (so) we will survive as a nation," Domagoso said.
Meanwhile, he said if the people would like to revive the Negros Island Region, he will support the move.
The presidential aspirant said the government must have an ear to the people.
“You have to listen to the people (and) if that will bring progress and development to Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental being one region then I am 101 percent in support for it,” he said.
He also expressed support for the construction of the Negros-Panay Bridge, saying it will bring economic development and more economic activity, businesses, and savings.
Domagoso said there should be an “engineering marvel and technologies for the realization of the project like the bridge connecting Hong Kong and Macau.”
Domagoso added his priority is for the Filipinos to survive comfortably and economically in the next two years amid the pandemic and the tension between Russia and Ukraine.
Meanwhile, aside from the church visit in Silay City where he was welcomed by some supporters, his two-day sortie in Negros also incuded a motorcade in some major streets in Bacolod City.
He met with Mayor Evelio Leonardia and other officials at the New Government Center, and visited some barangays in Victorias City.
He is set to visit more localities in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental on Thursday, March 17.