NAGA CITY — Mayor Leni Robredo is considering a budget realignment to prioritize fuel subsidies for transport workers, as rising global oil prices continue to impact local livelihoods.

In a press conference on April 6, Robredo said the Naga City government is reviewing portions of its current budget, including infrastructure and rice subsidy allocations, to provide immediate assistance to jeepney drivers and other public transport operators.

The mayor noted that infrastructure projects worth around ₱16 million may be postponed, while about ₱30 million allotted for rice subsidies is also under reassessment, in order to redirect funds toward fuel assistance.

The proposed move comes as local governments grapple with the effects of a global fuel crisis linked to geopolitical tensions, which have disrupted oil supply chains and driven up fuel prices.

Robredo earlier ordered fuel conservation measures across city departments in response to the same crisis, mandating reduced fuel consumption and stricter monitoring of government vehicle use.

She emphasized that the planned realignment aims to deliver more targeted and immediate relief to sectors most affected by fuel price hikes, particularly transport workers whose daily income is directly tied to fuel costs.

📷 Leni Robredo FB