BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The Baguio City government started distributing fuel subsidies to taxi drivers as part of its efforts to support public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers amid the ongoing fuel crisis.
The subsidy aims to help drivers cope with rising fuel costs and sustain their daily needs.
Around 300 taxi drivers who are Baguio residents are included in the first batch of beneficiaries who received the subsidy during the payout on April 14, 2026.
A total of 1,537 taxi drivers are expected to benefit from the program with each receiving P3,000 in financial assistance, based on the list submitted to the City Engineering Office-Traffic and Transportation Management Division.
Taxi drivers were required to submit their barangay certificate as proof of residency in Baguio City, their driver’s license, and a certificate from their operator attesting that they drive for the said taxi. These requirements were submitted in person for assessment.
Dolores Busacay, Social Welfare Officer II of the City Social Welfare and Development Office, emphasized that this subsidy will act as a safety net to at least help taxi drivers in their needs.
“Hindi ito iyong pangmatagalan na assistance. Just for now to support lang din ‘yung additional needs nila considering iyong oil price hike natin and other concerns of taxi drivers. Ito muna iyong tulong natin sa kanila to continue pa rin iyong ating transportation habang wala pang mandated na increase sa fare ng taxi,” she said.
Reynardo Bacoco, President of the United Cordillera Transport Federation-Taxi Group, expressed gratitude to the City of Baguio for supporting the transport sector.
“Alam naman natin na more than 200% ang increase ng fuel prices kaya wala nang kinikita ang mga taxi drivers natin. Malaking tulong iyong financial subsidy na ito sa mga drivers po natin. I-che-check ang mga requirements and kapag wala namang nakitang problema, makukuha na nila kaya mabilis lang din. Parang one-stop shop na,” he said.
Sonny Himiwat from Camp 7, Kennon Road, who has been a taxi driver for 24 years now, shared that his income drastically changed because of the oil price hike. Before, he could bring home P1,000-P1,500 in a day; now he only earns P300-500 a day, or in a worst-case scenario, a negative balance. Even though he ferries many passengers, the cost of diesel drains his income. For him, this financial assistance is already a great help to cover some of their daily needs.
“Masaya kami, at least meron kaming pangdagdag para sa panggastos kasi kulang na rin ang kinikita namin. Iti number iti passengers gamin awan met iti problema ta ado latta kaso gamin huguten iti diesel diyay kita mi iti maysa nga aldaw. Steady latta met kitdi iti boundary, diyay dadduma met nga operator ket inbaba da piman,” he shared.
The local government continues to register qualified taxi drivers for the subsidy. The payout will continue in batches until all qualified drivers have received their subsidy. **JDP/DEG-PIA-CAR w/ BSU intern Karena Fernandez
