Calamba Allots P50M Aid for Transport, Agriculture Sectors Amid Fuel Crisis
Calamba City — The city government of Calamba is preparing over P50 million in assistance for the transportation and agricultural sectors as they continue to face challenges brought by rising fuel costs.
Speaking during the city’s 25th cityhood anniversary on April 20, Mayor Roseller Rizal said the local government is ready to expand its support not only to tricycle and jeepney drivers but also to farmers and fisherfolk affected by the ongoing fuel crisis.
Rizal explained that the city has allocated a P50-million subsidy to benefit thousands of members of tricycle operators and drivers associations (TODA) and jeepney operators and drivers associations (JODA), along with other vulnerable sectors. More than 10,000 TODA members and 1,000 JODA members are expected to receive fuel assistance.
In addition to transport workers, the city government has committed to extending aid to local farmers and fisherfolk to help ease the burden of increased fuel and operational costs.
The mayor also expressed appreciation for the support of the national government led by Ferdinand Marcos Jr., noting that Calamba’s transport sector has already received P5,000 fuel subsidies. He added that the city also benefited from a rice subsidy worth P87 million, along with additional funding for infrastructure projects and a P100-million grant for the opening of the Calamba City Hospital.
Earlier, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) distributed P5,000 in cash assistance to an initial batch of more than 3,000 tricycle drivers. Further distributions are expected to cover other public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers, including those in transport network vehicle services (TNVS) and delivery services.
Following the declaration of a national energy emergency, the city government has also implemented cost-saving measures. These include directing barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials to limit participation in non-essential activities outside the city, as well as suspending inter-barangay sports leagues and large public festivities to prioritize essential spending.
The initiative reflects Calamba’s proactive approach to supporting key sectors and ensuring that resources are efficiently used as the country navigates the ongoing energy crisis.
NPO News Team | Philippine Information Agency - PR
