Taxi Driver in Cebu Sends Family Back Home as Fuel Costs Cut Into Earnings
A taxi driver in Cebu City reportedly sends his family back to province as fuel prices cut into his earnings.
A 50-year-old taxi driver Romy Rebucas feels heavy on the road as the rising oil prices reduced his daily earnings. After seven hours of driving, he only makes around P300 to P400, an amount that is not even enough to refill his fuel.
There was a time when driving a taxi meant bringing home food and saving a little for the future. Now, most of his earnings go straight to gasoline. Some days, he ends his shift with almost nothing left.
Because of this, Rebucas made a painful decision. He sent his wife and children back to Boljoon, a town in Cebu where daily living is less costly. Instead of being with them every day, he now sends money whenever he can, usually around P1,000 a week, which is still not enough to support their needs.
Fuel prices have doubled compared to before, while his daily expenses continue to rise. Even on days when he earns more, most of it is quickly spent on fuel and other costs, leaving him short and sometimes in debt.
Other drivers in Cebu share the same struggle. Habal-habal drivers like Maria Nenita Mahusay and Jose Mari Gornez also face low earnings and high fuel costs. Some earn only enough to buy basic food, while others struggle to even cover their daily fuel.
At the El Pardo Transport Cooperative, many drivers have stopped working because they can no longer afford to operate. Only about half of their vehicles are still running. Some drivers have returned to their provinces, while others are searching for different jobs.
For those who continue, long hours on the road do not guarantee enough income. Many still choose to work, hoping each day will be better.
Despite the hardship, drivers like Rebucas continue to push forward, holding on to the hope that things will improve and that they can once again provide a stable life for their families.
In a previous post, a passenger surprised by taxi driver who got angry at foreigner for not giving tip
The social media users expressed their reactions to the post:
