Cebu City is shifting to a fuel card system for public transport drivers as it prepares to release a subsidy by mid-May, with officials tightening verification measures to ensure only qualified beneficiaries receive assistance.
Mayor Nestor Archival said the rollout is targeted for the third week of May following approval of a supplemental budget that funds the program.
“Last meeting, na-approve na ang supplemental budget. Expected by the third week of May, we will distribute the subsidy,” Archival said.
The city government will provide fuel instead of direct cash, following a recommendation from the City Council, though officials said implementation details still need careful coordination.
“Ang atong ihatag sa drivers, suggested by the council, is fuel. Unsaon paghatag? Ato pa na i-manage—medyo lisod pa i-determine,” he said.
To control distribution and reduce misuse, the city will use fleet cards that drivers can present at fuel stations.
Archival said about 10,000 drivers are currently listed for potential inclusion, but all entries will undergo validation before release of assistance.
“As of now, naa tay around 10,000 drivers sa listahan, pero i-verify pa ni,” he said.
The city will work with barangay officials to confirm eligibility, including checking licenses and verifying that vehicles have official receipt (OR) and certificate of registration (CR).
“Mangayo ta og tabang sa barangay aron ma-verify ang drivers aron dili kaayo daghan reklamo,” Archival said.
Officials said each beneficiary will also be documented with photographs alongside their vehicles as part of the validation process.
“Naay license ang driver, naay motor nga naay OR ug CR—kay naay uban nga walay OR ug CR, unya kuhaan nato og picture ang driver ug ang motor,” he said.
City personnel have begun consolidating the master list, which will undergo further verification before final endorsement to barangays for distribution of fleet cards.
The fuel subsidy is part of the P800.54-million supplemental budget approved by the City Council’s Committee on Budget and Finance, which retained a P35-million allocation for transport assistance.
Council members earlier pushed for stricter safeguards in aid distribution to prevent irregularities and ensure support reaches legitimate public transport workers. (LLP)
Photo courtesy of Nestor Archival / Facebook
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