Not everyone Is Getting Help Says DJ Chacha Amid Fuel Crisis Concerns
DJ CHACHA – Amid the surge in petroleum costs, DJ Chacha is raising critical concerns about who truly benefits from fuel subsidies.
Radio personality DJ Chacha recently aired her thoughts on the ongoing fuel crisis in the Philippines, raising concerns about how government fuel subsidies are being distributed amid continuously rising petroleum prices.
In a social media post on March 17, DJ Chacha acknowledged that the government has already begun releasing fuel assistance to certain sectors, particularly tricycle drivers. However, she emphasized that not all affected groups are receiving support at the same time, leaving many still waiting for relief.
“MAY AYUDA NA SA ILAN… PERO PAANO NAMAN ANG IBA? Nagsimula na ang pamamahagi ng ₱5,000 fuel subsidy para sa mga tricycle drivers upang makatulong sa gitna ng patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng petrolyo. Ayon sa gobyerno, susunod na rin ang ayuda para sa jeepney, bus, TNVS at iba pang transport drivers sa mga darating na araw.”
Despite assurances that other transport sectors will soon receive assistance, DJ Chacha highlighted the struggles of drivers outside Metro Manila. She shared the experience of a provincial driver who revealed that diesel prices in their area have already soared to alarming levels, even surpassing those in the capital.
“Pero habang may mga driver na nakakatanggap na ng tulong, may ilan din na umaasang hindi sila makakalimutan. Kausap namin kaninang umaga si Sir. Jhun Ybañez, tricycle driver at miyembro ng NACTODAP sa Butuan City. Ayon sa kanya, umaabot na raw sa ₱110 per liter ang diesel sa kanilang lugar ngayong umaga. Kagabi raw ay nasa ₱80+ pa lang pero bigla itong tumaas ngayong araw lalo mula sa malalaking oil companies.”
This disparity has led to frustration among drivers in the provinces, particularly in Mindanao, who feel sidelined in the initial rollout of aid. Many are questioning why subsidies appear to be concentrated in Metro Manila, despite higher fuel costs in far-flung areas due to transportation and logistics.
“Marami raw sa kanilang hanay ang nagtatanong kung may darating din bang ayuda mula sa national government. ‘Kahapon po na-excite kami kasi akala namin kasama kami sa bibigyan. Pero nalaman namin na sa Maynila pa lang pala ipinamamahagi.’ May pakiusap din sila: ‘Sana huwag naman kaming makalimutan dito sa Mindanao. Kahit konting tulong lang sana. Sana mabigyan din ang nasa transport sector dito.’ Natural na mas mataas ang presyo ng krudo sa probinsya dahil kailangan pa itong ibiyahe papunta dopn. Pero tanong ng ilan: kung mas mahal ang gasolina sa probinsya, bakit hindi sila naisabay sa bigayan ng subsidya ngayong araw?”
Beyond public transport drivers, DJ Chacha also turned attention to middle-income earners, noting that many car owners are not necessarily wealthy but are forced to rely on private vehicles due to inadequate public transportation.
“At hindi lang drivers ang nakakaramdam ng bigat ng fuel crisis. Marami ring Middle Class Earners na may mga hulugang sasakyan ang umaaray sa presyo ng petrolyo. Baka akala nila lahat ng may kotse, hindi nakakaramdam ng krisis. Kung maganda lang public transport dito sa bansa, baka karamihan ng may kotse nagcommute na lang.”
She concluded by questioning the recurring exclusion of the middle class from government aid programs, recalling similar concerns during the pandemic.
“Naiintindihan naman ng karamihan na talagang dapat unahin ang mga nasa laylayan. Pero noong panahon ng pandemya, marami ring middle class ang naiwan sa ayuda. Dahil ba kaya na nilang tumayo sa sarili nilang paa… kaya bahala na sila?”
“Sa gitna ng tumataas na presyo ng langis ang tanong ng marami: May sapat bang tulong para sa lahat ng apektado ng krisis na ito?” she added.
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