Amid the rising prices of petroleum, Mayor Michael Rama on Monday said a fuel subsidy will cushion the impact of the crisis on the local public transportation sector.

In a press briefing, Rama said he supports the proposal to give one liter of fuel for every public utility jeepney (PUJ) driver here to help cope with the increases in oil products resulting from the war between Ukraine and Russia.

The proposal will cover some 2,000 drivers of PUJs, the most common mode of transportation in this capital city of Cebu province.

It was hatched last week after Councilor James Cuenco, head of the City Council’s Committee on Transportation cited the volatility of petroleum prices.

If approved, Cuenco’s proposal will allow the city government to buy diesel or gasoline for distribution to the jeepney drivers.

Cuenco said helping the drivers by granting the subsidy will ensure the availability of public transportation to some 15,000 commuters per day.

Rama said he might seek the help of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council headed by former Councilor Gerard Carillo in studying the viability of Cuenco’s proposal.

“I have given my imprimatur. It’s just a matter of where to get the (budget),” he said.

Meanwhile, the mayor said he also supports the proposal to build an oil depot at the city’s South Road Properties, which could bring down the prices of fuel in Metro Cebu.

He said he wants to know the exact place in the 300-hectare reclamation area where the facility can be constructed. (PNA)