Escudero Urges Fuel Subsidy as Eastern Visayas Faces Transport, Food Strain

Posted on Apr. 19, 2026 at 11:20 am

TACLOBAN CITY — As global oil prices continue to rise, Senator Francis Escudero is advocating for the prompt implementation of a “fuel differential subsidy,” cautioning that the escalating fuel crisis is no longer solely a transportation issue but a looming threat to food security and economic stability in Eastern Visayas.

Escudero urged both national and local governments in the region, including Tacloban City, Ormoc City, and Calbayog City, to swiftly provide financial assistance through direct cash aid or fuel vouchers to assist drivers of public utility vehicles (PUVs) like jeepneys, tricycles, and vans-for-hire who are struggling to cope with the increasing fuel costs this April.

The senator noted that transport groups in Eastern Visayas are already feeling the impact.

In Tacloban City, some jeepney operators have started reducing trips or temporarily halting operations due to the significant impact of diesel prices on their daily earnings. Similar concerns have been raised in Borongan City, where transport cooperatives fear that more units may be forced out of service without immediate aid.

However, Escudero emphasized that the crisis extends beyond transportation, framing it as a broader regional emergency affecting supply chains that sustain households in Leyte and Samar.

The repercussions are also evident in agriculture and fisheries, two vital sectors in Eastern Visayas. Fishermen in coastal communities like Guiuan and Carigara are reporting fewer fishing trips due to the high fuel costs, raising worries about a decline in fish supply in local markets. This could potentially lead to higher prices for essential food items.

Farmers are encountering similar difficulties. Carlos Amande, a member of a farmers’ association in Leyte, revealed that the rising fuel prices have increased transportation expenses for vegetables and other produce. Consequently, many farmers are compelled to raise prices to avoid losses, further burdening consumers.

Escudero stressed that the current subsidies are insufficient to mitigate the impact. Without additional assistance, he cautioned that disruptions in transportation and food production could exacerbate, impacting both livelihoods and access to essential goods.

The proposed fuel differential subsidy, he explained, aims to bridge the gap between regular and current fuel prices. While not a permanent fix, it would serve as a crucial buffer to sustain transport services and ensure the uninterrupted flow of food supplies in Eastern Visayas.

Looking at the broader perspective, Escudero warned that the escalating fuel prices are evolving into a severe crisis directly affecting daily life in the region. Without prompt and targeted intervention, Eastern Visayas could confront more profound economic challenges in the coming months.

“The time to take action is now,” Escudero emphasized, underscoring the urgency of immediate, comprehensive government measures to prevent the situation from escalating further.

(Photo by: Jazmin Bonifacio)