Senator Risa Hontiveros is pushing to reallocate ₱30 billion from the Department of Social Welfare and Development crisis aid fund to the Department of Transportation to bankroll a public utility vehicle (PUV) service contracting program that would guarantee income for drivers.
Hontiveros made the proposal on May 1 before the Philippine Metalworkers’ Alliance in Lipa, Batangas, framing it as a structural response to rising transport and food costs linked to the Middle East conflict.
She said wage hikes alone are not enough if basic expenses continue to climb at the same rate, stressing that workers need stronger social support systems to cope with inflation.
The senator proposed transferring funds from the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program to the DOTr to fund service contracting for bus and jeepney drivers—ensuring they earn a stable income regardless of passenger volume.
“Mayroong ₱30 billion ang DSWD para sa AICS na sa tingin ko ay dapat ibigay na lang sa DOTr para sa service contracting. Sa ganitong paraan, makakasiguro ang mga driver ng mga bus at jeep na may kikitain sila at magtutuloy-tuloy ang kanilang pamamasada,” Hontiveros said.
She is also pushing for a ₱52.8 billion supplemental budget, which includes ₱12 billion in subsidies for public utility vehicle drivers, ride-hailing drivers, and delivery riders, emphasizing that worker relief should be long-term rather than temporary.
Hontiveros added that she wrote to the Department of Budget and Management in March to clarify how AICS funds could legally be redirected for service contracting. As of her speech, she said, the DBM had yet to respond, which she described as disheartening.
She also urged labor groups to lead calls for reform, pressing companies to prioritize workers over profit and calling on the government to take more decisive action as Filipinos face mounting economic pressure.
