Baguio city: The city government here is calling on taxi operators to register their drivers with the Traffic, Transport, and Management Division (TTMD) as the local government prepares assistance to the sector.

According to Philippines News Agency, the call followed the completion of the city's release of PHP5,000 in aid to approximately 1,300 jeepney drivers during the last week of March. Engr. Amy Gas-ib, head of the City Engineering Office (CEO)-TTMD, appealed to operators to submit their lists of drivers to complete the documentary requirements for the city government subsidy.

'We appeal to taxi operators to submit their list of drivers for the office to complete the documentary requirements for the grant of subsidy from the city government,' Gas-ib said. She noted that while the city expects at least 3,000 taxi drivers to qualify, only 1,500 have been listed so far.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong, in an earlier interview, said the city has allotted PHP10 million for the jeepney drivers' PHP5,000 subsidy. He added that the city is identifying additional funding sources to extend assistance to other transport sectors. 'We are just starting with the transport sector because there is a need to address the long queues at the loading areas at the central business district or at the barangays, which is affecting our residents,' Magalong said.

The city government, in coordination with national government agencies, is also deploying 'libreng sakay' (free ride) services along jeepney routes experiencing heavy passenger accumulation. Magalong also announced that the city is preparing the immediate release of rice and food aid from the PHP56 million it received from the national government, targeting the poorest of the poor and members of the urban poor. 'Aside from the national government agencies giving support, we are also doing our share because it is our people who are directly affected, and we want to ease their burden,' he said.