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500 Davao City PUJ drivers benefit from DOLE Tuloy Pasada assistance

by Nova Mae Francas
written by Nova Mae Francas

THE FIRST batch of 500 public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers from Davao City officially signed their contracts to begin their emergency employment under the TUPAD Tuloy Pasada Program to cushion the impact of the fuel surge caused by the Middle East conflict.

The TUPAD Tuloy Pasada program is a targeted intervention by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Davao City that supports transport workers currently affected by the impacts of the national energy emergency.

In a statement, DOLE XI revealed that the beneficiaries will receive 15 days of assistance with a daily compensation based on the prevailing regional minimum wage of P525. 

“For many drivers, the rising costs of fuel and maintenance have made it harder to bring home a decent daily wage. TUPAD serves as a vital ‘safety net’ during these challenging times,” DOLE XI said.

Unlike the conventional TUPAD, which involves community clean-up, the “Tuloy Pasada” initiative enables the drivers to continue earning and to keep essential transport services running.

DOLE said part of their commitment includes providing “libreng sakay (free rides)” within their 15-day work period.

Nely L. Aperocho, DOLE Davao City Field Office, emphasized that the department recognizes the hard work of the transport sector

“Ang departamento walay pamauli sa pagtrabaho aron masiguro nga walay trabahante nga mabiyaan, ilabi na kamo nga nagpadagan sa atong siyudad. Kini nga programa mao ang among paagi sa pag-ingon nga ang gobyerno anaa kanunay aron suportahan kamo (The department hasn’t stopped working to ensure that no worker is left behind, especially you who keep our city running. This program is our way of saying that the government is always here to support you),” Aperocho said.

In an earlier interview, Suzette Jane Antiveros, DOLE XI regional employment programs spokesperson, said the agency will also provide occupational safety and health orientation, personal protective equipment, micro-insurance, and access to further training and employment opportunities on top of Tuloy Pasada assistance.

The official clarified that the assistance is a “temporary aid.” However, if drivers wish to avail skills enhancement, DOLE can endorse them to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for skills training, and to the Public Employment Service Office for employment.

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News

Davao City govt adopts work-from-home setup every Friday except for essential public services

by Nova Mae Francas
written by Nova Mae Francas

THE CITY government will implement flexible work arrangements every Friday, starting April 17, 2026, as part of the energy conservation measures.

In an official statement posted on its Facebook page on Wednesday, the city government announced regular work arrangements from Monday to Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Meanwhile, only government offices with remote functions will observe a work-from-home arrangement every Friday.

“Departments and offices providing frontline and essential services shall ensure that adequate personnel remain physically present in the workplace to maintain the uninterrupted delivery of services to the public,” the city government stressed.

Excluded in the memo are health and medical services, emergency response units and disaster risk reduction and management, public safety and security services, traffic management, and other public services offices that require daily on-site presence, such as receiving and releasing of pertinent documents.

The pronouncement comes after the city government’s formation of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emergency Socioeconomic Crisis Response (IATF Crisis) to address the economic strain in the city caused by international geopolitical tensions.

In the IATF-Crisis’ initial resolution, all city government offices have been urged to reduce their fuel consumption by 15%. 

The task force has granted exemptions to priority offices, including those in the emergency and health sectors, to ensure that vital public safety and medical services are not compromised.

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office also prepositioned emergency vehicles, including ambulances, to strengthen the emergency response system while saving fuel costs.

CDRRMO chief Alfredo Baloran said they anticipate reducing fuel consumption while maintaining prompt response to emergencies. 

Emergency units are now being stationed in strategic locations across the city, such as in Ulas and Bajada, to ensure faster response times. 

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News

Group demands government action on ongoing socioeconomic crisis

by Contributor
written by Contributor

BY JADE G. GUMBAN, ROCHELLE ANN L. UBAUB & ALDRIN JAMES A. BOHOL/DNSC Interns

ANAKBAYAN Southern Mindanao Region held a picket rally on Friday, April 10, near Freedom Park to express their dissatisfaction with both the local and national government over the ongoing economic crisis.

Fauzhea Guiani, the spokesperson of Anakbayan SMR, said the lack of immediate action in providing cash relief assistance that would help address the daily needs of drivers, as well as the suspension of excise taxes, which they said contribute to rising prices and inflation.

“Karun nga panahon ang pinaka panginahanglan sa mga drayber, kabatan-onan og mga mamumuo kay ang immediate na cash relief assistance unta nga cash aid nga sakto nga motubag sa panginahanglan sa adlaw-adlaw sa mga drayber ug ang pag suspendi sa VAT ug sa excise tax nga maoy mga regressive taxes nga hinungdan nganong grabe ang patong o ang pagmahal sa mga presyo (In these times, what drivers, the youth, and workers need most is immediate cash relief assistance—cash aid that truly responds to their daily needs. They are also calling for the suspension of VAT and excise tax, which are regressive taxes that cause significant price increases),” Guiani said in a press statement.

She also expressed frustration over the ₱5,000 cash aid assistance program of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for drivers.

“Sa nagkataas na palaliton ug grabe na pagpataw og buwis, insulto ang ₱5,000 ‘cash aid’ ni Marcos Jr. Sinsilyo lamang kini kumpara sa bilyones nga giwaldas sa mga flood control projects nga giingong naapil sa korapsyon sa iyang mga kaalyado (With rising prices and heavy taxes, the ₱5,000 cash aid from Marcos Jr. is an insult. It is only a small amount compared to the billions spent on flood control projects allegedly linked to corruption involving his allies),” she said.

Additionally, the group expressed dismay over Davao City Executive Order No. 7, Series of 2026, under the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emergency Socioeconomic Crisis Response (IATF-Crisis), describing it as performative for focusing mainly on reducing energy and fuel consumption.

“Performative ang pag-mugna ni Baste Duterte sa EO 07. Napaka-out of touch! Sobra isa ka bulan nang nag-antos ang mga Dabawenyos sa pagtaas sa presyo sa gasolina ug palaliton, unya hangtod karon kutob ra gihapon sa plano. Pagpaka-aron ingnon kini nga naay ginabuhat apan dili tinuod nga ginatubag ang ekonomikanhong panginahanglan sa katawhan (The creation of EO 07 by Baste Duterte is performative. It is very out of touch. For more than a month, Davaoeños have been suffering from rising fuel and commodity prices, yet it remains only a plan. It is merely pretending to act without truly addressing the economic needs of the people),” Guiani said.

Guiani also stated that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. received a “bagsak” (failure) rating from their group due to the lack of immediate action on the ongoing socioeconomic crisis in the country.

“Last year, July 2025, bagsak ang grade nga atong gihatag kay Marcos Jr. before sa iyang SONA, ug hangtod karon wala gihapon kini nabag-o. Bagsak gihapon ang presidente tungod kay wala pa niya natubag ang kinalamang panginahanglan sa katawhan (Last year in July 2025, we gave Marcos Jr. a failing grade before his SONA, and until now it has not changed. The president is still failing because he has not addressed the people’s most urgent needs),” she said.

She warned the government about the consequences of continuing to neglect the needs of the people.

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Business

Price hike looms after April 16 manufacturers’ commitment to hold cost of goods 

by Nova Mae Francas
written by Nova Mae Francas

THE COST of basic necessities and prime commodities is expected to increase after April 16, following the expiration of a 30-day price-holding commitment from manufacturers.

The price-holding agreement with several manufacturers and the DTI national office was signed on  March 16.

“As announced by our secretary, we will expect increases by April 16, because nahuman na ang 30-day commitment,” Romeo Vasquez Jr., DTI Consumer Protection Division chief, said during Kapihan sa Dabaw on Monday.

Vasquez said the primary factor of price increase is operational costs, such as in logistics and delivery.

“Because of the increase in the price of fuel, nagmahal na ang delivery cost,” he stressed.

Vasquez reported that in some areas, logistic costs have significantly surged, including in Malita, Davao Occidental. Delivery costs reportedly increased by 75 percent, from ₱2,000 to ₱3,500 per trip. 

On the other hand, a retailer from Mati City, Davao Oriental, had their logistics costs rise between 33% and 50%, with some trips costing from ₱5,000 to as much as ₱14,000.

“If the logistics and delivery costs increase, it will have an effect on the price of goods,” he said, noting a few increases for basic necessities and prime commodities were observed but are still within the suggested retail price.

The official said daily monitoring of prices and supply has been intensified, while price and supply monitoring teams are required to submit daily situational reports to ensure market stability.

Under existing regulations, increases within 10 percent of the SRP are not considered profiteering and do not automatically warrant penalties, two establishments have been issued a letter of inquiry in the past week.

The agency assured that it will closely track price movements beyond April 16 to ensure that any increases remain justified and do not burden consumers excessively.

Vasquez, however, emphasized that not all basic goods will increase, and it is up to the manufacturer for the costing of their products, considering operational costs.

“If there is a need to revise the SRP, especially if there is an increase, that will be published by the DTI if there is a new SRP for their products,” Vasquez said.

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News

Until May

by Nova Mae Francas
written by Nova Mae Francas
  • Davao fuel companies assure adequate buffer fuel supply through April

PETROLEUM companies operating in Davao assured lawmakers during the 13th regular session on Tuesday, March 30, 2026, that the buffer fuel stocks for Davao City will last through April and until May, with no end in sight for the Middle East conflict. 

Representatives from Petron, Insular Oil, MyGas Petroleum, Chevron Philippines, and Phoenix Petroleum appeared before the City Council to discuss the current status of fuel supply.

During its 12th regular session last March 24, Lawmakers passed a resolution inviting oil industry players to shed light on the weekly pricing adjustment basis of gasoline stations, which have significantly impacted the price of goods.

Councilor Myrna Dalodo Ortiz said while the global market influences fuel prices, the local government is responsible for evaluating how these changes are translated at the local level.

Albert Cudal of Insular Oil said it currently maintains a 30-day supply cover, with replenishment expected by the middle of April. 

“That’s giving reassurance to the public that we have a good supply,” Cudal stressed.

Insular Oil, an importer of finished petroleum products in Davao, shared that it brings in about 30 million liters monthly from refineries across Asia.

Their shipments are delivered directly to Davao depots without passing through Manila, maintaining coordination with regulatory agencies such as the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs. 

A representative from Mygas Petroleum Corp has about 20 to 22 days of supply, but remains dependent on supplier pricing as it is not an importer.

“We are not importers so we are very much dependent on the prices that our suppliers are giving us,” the representative said.

Catalimo Ramos, terminal manager of Chevron Philippines (Sasa Depot), which operates Caltex, said that their gasoline supply is secured until April 30. Diesel stocks are expected to last until the fourth week of May, with incoming replenishment next week to extend availability.

Meanwhile, John Manuel Diosana of Phoenix Sasa said they maintain a 30-day buffer, replenished monthly through local purchases.

Despite this, lawmakers were dissatisfied with the responses, particularly on the issue of pricing and specific components, along with strategic plans during emergencies. 

Ortiz moved to proceed with a joint committee hearing for another round of discussions scheduled after the Holy week, where officials will expect more comprehensive explanations from oil companies regarding pricing structures and consumer impact.

“It seems that the specific topic that we would have wanted to ask from them, they cannot give us exact answers because they are just representatives and not involved in price-setting,” Ortiz told reporters in a sideline interview during the session.

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News

Cayetano welcomes Marcos’ order to form crisis committee after contingency plan push

by Contributor
written by Contributor

SENATE Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday welcomed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to create a government crisis committee amid tensions in the Middle East, saying the move aligns with earlier calls from the Senate to strengthen the country’s preparedness for major disruptions.

Earlier this month, the chamber adopted Senate Resolution No. 343, introduced by Cayetano, urging the Executive Branch to establish a National Contingency Framework and develop a comprehensive plan to guide the country’s response to large-scale crises.

The resolution pushed for urgent action, highlighting how global conflicts, particularly those affecting oil supply, can quickly translate into higher fuel prices, transport costs, and overall inflation in the Philippines.

With the need for a more coordinated approach becoming increasingly evident, senators subsequently adopted Senate Resolution No. 350, co-authored by Cayetano along with Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, proposing the creation of a Senate-led ad hoc committee to help advance the development of the national contingency plan.

The proposed body, to be known as the Proactive Response and Oversight for Timely and Effective Crisis Strategy (PROTECT), will be led by the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance and composed of the chairpersons of all standing committees of the Senate, and tasked to bring together inputs from various sectors while ensuring coordination across government.

The initiative is intended to complement efforts from the Executive Branch by taking an active role in the development of the national contingency plan, oversight, and ensuring that the framework moves forward in a coordinated and timely manner.

Cayetano emphasized that while government agencies often implement individual measures during crises, the absence of a single guiding framework can lead to gaps in coordination and timing.

“Nasusubukan ang ating pundasyon ‘pag merong kalamidad o sakuna… I don’t think there’s a problem that we expect the worst or prepare for the worst. Kung hindi, nandiyan y’ung contingency plan [to implement],” he said.

The creation of a Senate-led body is expected to help align national agencies, local governments, and the private sector, while ensuring that preparations for potential disruptions do not lose direction over time.

With Malacañang now moving to establish its own crisis committee, Cayetano said the effort reinforces the need to build stronger and more coordinated foundations across institutions so the country is better prepared when crises arise.

“Ang pundasyon ng isang bansa, ng isang bayan, ng isang senado, ng isang pamilya o ang pundasyon ng mga Pilipino ay napakahalaga,” he said. 

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News

Rising fuel costs threaten jeepney drivers’ livelihood

by Contributor
written by Contributor

BY MERRY CRIS DURON & SHETORI ROBLES/DNSC Interns

LOCAL jeepney drivers are seriously considering temporarily halting operations if they don’t receive government aid amid surging fuel prices.

In an interview with TIMES, jeepney drivers said they are already feeling the pain of fuel costs, as they directly affect their take-home pay.

Jujie Dungan, a veteran jeepney driver with 30 years of experience, shared that if gasoline prices increase further, he will be forced to find another means of livelihood.

“We might just park the jeepney and look for other work, because it feels useless to keep driving when most of our income only goes to gasoline. It’s better to find another job,” Dungan said.

Juli Clarin, a jeepney driver of 10 years currently operating the Panacan to SM Ecoland route,  echoed the sentiment.

“I might stop driving soon, maybe in just a few days, because gasoline prices keep going up every day,” Clarin added.

Dungan spoke about the drastic reduction in their daily earnings due to the steady increase in fuel prices.

“We’ve lost a lot because gasoline prices keep going up. Before, we could earn 800 to 1,000 pesos a day, but reaching 1,000 is very rare. These days, we can hardly even reach half of that; 500 pesos is already considered high for us,” he explained.

Drivers also slammed and further criticized the decision of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to suspend the implementation of the approved fare increase, which was announced on March 18.

The decision left drivers struggling even more with rising fuel costs and shrinking income. 

“Even a small increase in fares could have helped us. But they said it’s not yet the right time, so when will it be? Should we wait until the price of crude oil or gasoline doubles or even quadruples?” Clarin emphasized.

This was also reechoed by Dungan, stressing that even a little adjustment would have made a difference.

“It may have been a small increase, but it would still have helped. Even a little is fine, as long as there’s something added,” he said.

To note, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Davao Region on March 17 announced a P1.00 fare increase for traditional jeepneys and a P2 hike for modern jeepneys in response to the rising fuel prices, but PBBM ordered the suspension of the fare hike a day before it was scheduled to take effect on March 19.

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News

Participate on foot, restricted use of gasoline/diesel/oil-powered vehicles urged on Parada Dabawenyo

by Nova Mae Francas
written by Nova Mae Francas

THE DAVAO City Council on Tuesday urged Parada Dabawenyo participants on March 28 to participate in the parade on foot and to avoid driving vehicles during the entirety of the parade.

Proponent Councilor J Melchor Quitain Jr. said his proposal highlights the importance of saving fuel amid the ongoing war in the Middle East.

Quitain said the war depleted fuel supply and other oil products in the country, and it would be prudent to save and conserve these resources.

“The insufficiency of gasoline and other oil products has spiked the price/cost thereof over and above normal levels and consequently resulted in the uncontrollable rise of the price of prime commodities almost beyond reach,” Quitain said in a resolution.

He added that the war in the Middle East is threatening to escalate instead, urging the public to 

help mitigate the impact of the hardships by limiting the usage of gasoline/diesel/oil until such time the situation improves or goes back to normal.

“Each Dabawenyo can, in his/her own small way, contribute to the mitigation of hardship that the country is confronted with, brought about by the shortage and rising cost of fuel, commodities, and utilities, which includes electricity,” he stressed.

During a sideline interview, Quitain emphasized that restricting the use of vehicles can not diminish the spirit of the Araw ng Davao celebration.

“I think it will not destroy the spirit of Araw ng Davao, it’s important that we are together, even without vehicles, we celebrate,” he said.

“This time, let’s just be thrifty. It’s a good example that whenever we use fuel for our vehicles, we use it for important things like going to work, bringing our children to school, I think the parade we can dispense with using our vehicle,” he added.

Harold Quibete, Parada Dabawenyo organizer, earlier said there are 318 registered contingents during the parade and expecting 20,000-25,000 parading participants.

The city council also called on the Department of Energy to attend the next regular session to discuss the fuel reserves and situational report amid the ongoing fuel price increase.

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Opinion

All That Matters | The 100-peso breaking point

by Amalia Cabusao
written by Amalia Cabusao

Last Friday, the crawl from Matina to downtown felt less like a commute and more like a collective test of endurance. As the afternoon heat shimmered off the asphalt and traffic stalled  near a gasoline station, the taxi driver, Lando, heaved a weary sigh that seemed to carry the weight of the entire transport sector.

He didn’t complain about the gridlock—in Davao, that’s just the norm these days. Instead, he pointed toward the neon glow of the price board at the pump.

“Ma’am,” he said, his voice dropping into that low, candid tone drivers use when they’re about to deliver a hard truth. “If that hits 100 pesos per liter, I’m done. I’ll park this taxi for good and just look for manual labor. At least then, my sweat won’t be evaporated by a fuel tank I can’t afford to fill.”

For Lando, the ongoing war in the Middle East isn’t a distant headline or a subject for academic debate. It is a ghost sitting in his passenger seat, silently calculating his take-home pay before he even shifts into second gear. When he hears of escalating tensions across the globe, he doesn’t think of geopolitics, he thinks of the kilo of rice that might have to be cut from his family’s table.

There is a raw, unfiltered sociology that happens sitting at the passenger seat. For him, “hope” has become a luxury item, much like the fuel he burns while idling in the Matina traffic.

He spoke of the “stabilization” of oil prices as if it were a memory from decades ago. To Lando, the volatility of the world has finally reached a tipping point where the labor no longer outweighs the financial toll. “Maypa balik ta ani pag-uma (It’s better if we go back to farming),” he mumbled.

Getting stuck in traffic is usually a nuisance, but it offers one distinct advantage – it forces us to listen. In the stillness of that Friday afternoon, Lando’s ultimatum felt like a warning bell. If the people who move our city lose the hope that they can sustain their lives by doing so, we aren’t just looking at a transport crisis—we’re looking at a disconnection of the city’s very heart.

As we finally cleared the congestion and headed toward the city center, the meter kept clicking. But for Lando, the real countdown isn’t on the dashboard; it’s on the price board at the station, inching ever closer to that 100-peso mark.

Just as Lando has his breaking point, the daily wage earner also bears the burden of the oil increase. This breaking point happens when the cost of living (fare+food+utilities) goes beyond the daily wage. There is a growing, heavy realization that no matter how hard they work, they are running on a treadmill that is speeding up faster than their feet could carry them.

Daily wage earners feel the oil price hike most acutely at the carinderia or the market because every vegetable, grain of rice, and piece of fish in Davao traveled there on a truck or boat fueled by diesel, the price of oil is essentially the price of food.

When the “listahan” or the credit notebook at the local sari-sari store grows longer, it’s because the oil prices have shortened the reach of the daily wage. There is a quiet, desperate dignity in choosing which meal to skip because the transport of that meal became too expensive for the consumer to absorb.

Whether it’s Lando behind the wheel or the passenger behind him, the sentiment is identical, when the oil price moves, a family’s future shifts.

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Business

MDW ramps up efficiency measures to serve Dumaguete public

by Contributor
written by Contributor

DUMAGUETE CITY – Metro Dumaguete Water is strengthening its operational efficiency as the fuel price hike driven by the Middle East crisis is projected to impact water production costs.

The water utility company, which draws water from 22 deep wells through diesel-powered pumps, said the cost of delivering water to the more than 30,000 households and accounts in its service area could double as fuel prices are predicted to reach over P80 per liter if the war in the Middle East continues. 

Chief Operating Officer Engr. Robert R. Cabiles said that aside from using oil by-products to draw water from the aquifer, the company also uses gasoline and diesel for its other equipment and motor vehicles. 

“While operating costs continue to rise, we call on our consumers to observe responsible water use to contribute to the sustainability of our groundwater sources and reliable service,” Cabiles said.

Variable Frequency Drive was introduced to MDW pumping stations to promote efficient power use while maintaining productivity.

Meanwhile, the company continues implementing operational efficiency measures aimed at reducing water losses and optimizing production.

One of Metro Dumaguete Water’s milestones is the 7% decrease in power usage while producing more water for its customers. This is an important development while water utilities mitigate the impact of the oil price hike.

MDW invested in a camera logger, the first of its kind in the region, to conduct a thorough inspection and analysis on the status of its deep wells. 

MDW continues to invest in infrastructure developments that enhance operational efficiency. These include electromechanical updates for pumping stations to continue the reduction of energy consumption and rehabilitation of pipelines to minimize water losses.

These measures ensure reliable water production and distribution, while being cost-effective amid fluctuating fuel prices.

Among Metro Dumaguete Water’s infrastructure development is the rehabilitation of the water distribution network. As of 2026, MDW has already rehabilitated more than 11 kilometers of pipelines.

“Metro Dumaguete Water reaffirms its commitment to provide a safe and reliable water supply for Dumaguete City, even as it continues to navigate through the higher cost of production in this unusual time,” Cabiles said.

Metro Dumaguete Water is the joint venture company of the Dumaguete City Water District and Metro Pacific Water, a subsidiary of the Metro Pacific Investment Corporation. It commenced its operations of the City’s water system in February 2021.

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