Riders group seeks dialogue with government on fuel subsidy

CEBU, Philippines —  The riders’ advocacy group, Kapatiran sa Dalawang Gulong (Kagulong), has called on the government to hold a social dialogue with riders engaged in ride-hailing, food delivery and courier services for the provision of fuel subsidies.

“We are asking the Department of Transportation (DoTr) to meet with riders in order to clarify its plan to distribute fuel subsidies. Riders shoulder the weekly gasoline price increases and thus deserve ayuda,” said Don Pangan, Kagulong secretary-general, in a statement.

Most of Kagulong members, including in Cebu, are workers using motorcycles as means of mobility or riders engaged in the various apps.

Pangan said that while it welcomes the DoTr announcement that people engaged in full-time ride-hailing and delivery services are entitled to the fuel subsidy, there is no transparency in the plan.

“In the first place, the DoTr does not know if the registered motorcycle owner is using his or her vehicle for platform work. Not even the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is aware of this due to the informal nature of the freelancer or independent contractor relationship,” Pangan said.

Pangan said that only the apps know who their riders are but a social dialogue should involve all stakeholders, thus riders should have voice and participation.

Re-electionist Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday expressed her support for expanded government subsidies to the transport sector seen to cushion the impact of rising oil prices brought by the Ukraine conflict to ordinary Filipinos.

Hontiveros, who is pushing for Healthy Buhay and Hanapbuhay for Filipinos, said that the government must immediately implement an expanded transport subsidy program to mitigate the impact of fast-rising oil prices, and prevent subsequent price hikes in food and basic goods.

“Malayo man ang Ukraine sa Pilipinas, magiging malapit sa bituka ang problema ng Pinoy kapag bumulusok pataas ang presyo ng gas, pagkain at iba pang basic goods. We need a comprehensive transport subsidy program that will soften the impact of oil price hikes on food and commuting costs for ordinary Filipinos,” Hontiveros said in a statement.

She said that a transport subsidy program, likely under the DOTr, must reach drivers and or operators of all public utility vehicles in the country, including buses, jeeps and taxis, along with those under ride-hailing services.

The same program must also help delivery riders and service providers, as well as those transporting agricultural products or basic goods.

“Sa fuel subsidy program, sisiguraduhin natin na tataas man ang operational cost ng mga transport at delivery services sa bansa ay sasaluhin muna ito ng pamahalaan. Sa ganyang paraan mapipigilan natin ang paglobo ng pamasahe o presyo ng mga bilihin na hindi pa kaya ng mga karaniwan at karamihan ng mga Pilipino na hindi pa nagsisimulang makabawi mula sa krisis ng kabuhayan na dulot ng pandemya,” Hontiveros added. — GMR (FREEMAN)