Cebu City imposes stricter rules for fuel subsidy release

Local

DRIVERS seeking the long-delayed fuel subsidy in Cebu City must pass stricter eligibility checks and complete documentary requirements before receiving cash assistance under an Executive Order (EO) issued by Mayor Nestor Archival.

Signed on Oct. 14, the EO establishes the procedures for screening applicants, verifying their qualifications and preparing the final list of beneficiaries for the city’s P35-million Driver’s Fuel Subsidy Program.

The order formalizes the roles of the Department of Social Welfare Services (DSWS) and city-designated personnel in checking applications, following concerns over questionable beneficiary lists that have delayed the rollout of the assistance.

Under the order, no payment may be made unless an applicant has been validated, included in the final masterlist and complied with the prescribed requirements.

The program covers qualified habal-habal drivers, taxi drivers, and drivers of modern and traditional public utility vehicles.

All applicants must be registered voters of Cebu City and must not have received another government fuel subsidy, as certified by their respective transport organizations.

Habal-habal drivers face additional requirements. They must be full-time drivers, hold a valid driver’s license and not be affiliated with or operating through a ride-hailing application.

The order allows a driver’s license that expired during the period covered by the implementing guidelines to be considered, subject to validation.

Applicants must submit a photocopy of their driver’s license and a voter’s certification. Habal-habal drivers must also provide a photograph of themselves with their motorcycle, with the plate number clearly visible.

Taxi and other covered public transport drivers must submit a photograph of their vehicle with the driver standing beside it and the plate number visible.

The implementing office may request additional supporting documents when necessary to verify an applicant’s eligibility, provided these are consistent with the order, the authorizing ordinance and applicable regulations.

The DSWS will lead the processing and validation of applications, coordinate with transport organizations and other city offices, consolidate the results and prepare the final masterlist and payroll.

Personnel designated by the Office of the City Mayor will conduct field verification in coordination with the DSWS. They will check the authenticity of submitted information and documents and determine whether applicants meet the program’s requirements.

The verification results will be submitted to the DSWS for evaluation and consolidation. Only applicants who satisfactorily meet the eligibility and documentary requirements will be included in the final list, which will serve as the basis for preparing the payroll and releasing the subsidy.

The order also requires the city to comply with applicable budgeting, accounting, auditing and disbursement rules.

The EO comes amid efforts to resolve problems with the subsidy’s beneficiary list.

Previous city checks reportedly found that the initial list of applicants had grown from about 10,000 to more than 35,000 names, prompting a review to remove individuals who did not qualify.

Those flagged included part-time drivers and people identified as barangay employees, barangay tanods and call center agents.

The revalidation process reportedly narrowed the pool to about 13,000 verified drivers. However, only around 2,000 had completed the required submission forms, with incomplete paperwork contributing to delays in the payout.

The latest order provides a formal framework for determining which applicants can proceed to the final masterlist.

The ₱35 million for the program was appropriated under Cebu City Ordinance No. 2816, which authorized Supplemental Budget No. 1 for 2026. The EO order took effect immediately upon signing on Oct. 14.(TGP)