Senator Bong Go renewed his call for stronger support for tricycle drivers, operators, delivery riders, and other transport workers as the continuing fuel crisis sustains the burden of high pump prices, vehicle maintenance costs, and daily livelihood uncertainty for Filipinos who depend on transport work to feed their families.
Go emphasized that transport workers, especially those who earn daily, are among the first to suffer whenever oil prices rise, as higher fuel costs at once cut into their income and affect the needs of their families.
“Kapag tumataas ang presyo ng gasolina, unang tinatamaan ang mga tsuper. Hindi lang po pamasahe ang usapan dito. Kabuhayan po ito ng kanilang pamilya. Kaya dapat tuluy-tuloy ang pakikinig at pagtulong sa kanila,” the veteran legislator emphasized.
The senator said tricycle drivers and operators stay essential to many communities, bringing workers, students, market goers, patients, and ordinary households to their destinations every day.
“Ang mga tricycle driver po, araw-araw nasa kalsada para maghanapbuhay. Sila ang naghahatid sa ating mga kababayan sa palengke, paaralan, trabaho, at ospital. Dapat lang po na maramdaman nila na may malasakit sa kanila ang gobyerno,” he said.
Go has repeatedly pushed for measures that would ease the burden of ordinary Filipinos affected by fuel price volatility. He has backed possible action on fuel excise tax relief and called for urgent fuel subsidy support for vulnerable sectors, including transport workers, as fuel prices affect the cost of goods, fares, and daily livelihoods.
For Go, the welfare of tricycle drivers, operators, and daily transport workers must remain a priority because their income depends directly on mobility, public service, and the movement of people and essential goods.
“Patas na pagtrato, proteksyon sa kabuhayan, at tulong kapag mabigat ang gastusin.”
“Pareho lang po ang panawagan ng ating mga tricycle drivers, delivery riders, at iba pang manggagawa sa transport sector: patas na pagtrato, proteksyon sa kabuhayan, at tulong kapag mabigat ang gastusin. Dapat po natin silang pakinggan dahil sila rin ang tumutulong sa ating mga komunidad araw-araw,” Go said.
As part of his continuing engagement with the transport sector, Go also personally visited the family of the late Ismael “Ace” Sevilla, president of the National Capital Region Tricycle Operators and Drivers’ Association (NCR TODA), to extend his condolences and honor a transport leader who worked with him in advancing the welfare of tricycle drivers and operators.
“Nakikiramay po ako sa pamilya ni Sir Ace Sevilla. Matagal po nating nakasama si Sir Ace sa pagsusulong ng kapakanan ng ating mga tricycle drivers at operators. Hindi po matatawaran ang kanyang malasakit sa transport sector,” Go said.
Go recalled that his working relationship with Sevilla began in 2018 after a chance encounter at a roadside carinderia in Pasay City. That meeting later helped pave the way for the TODA Summit in 2019, where tricycle operators and drivers were given a venue to raise their concerns, including regulatory and livelihood issues affecting the sector.
Sevilla had credited the idea for the TODA Summit to that chance encounter with the veteran legislator, where he shared the concerns of tricycle drivers and operators. The summit gathered government agencies and provided a platform for the transport sector to discuss regulations, livelihood programs, skills training, licensing, registration, and access to government services.
The seasoned lawmaker also expressed gratitude for the trust and friendship he shared with Sevilla, who had once referred to him as “Kuya ng TODA,” a phrase Go said reflected the bond formed through years of engagement with tricycle drivers and operators.
“Malaking karangalan po sa akin na matawag na Kuya ng TODA.”
“Malaking karangalan po sa akin na matawag na Kuya ng TODA. Para sa akin, hindi lang po ito titulo. Paalala po ito na dapat lagi nating pakinggan ang hinaing ng ating mga tsuper at operator, lalo na ngayon na ramdam na ramdam nila ang taas-presyo ng langis at gastusin sa araw-araw,” the senator said.
Go said Sevilla’s work with NCR TODA helped strengthen the voice of tricycle drivers and operators, especially those seeking fairer systems, practical support, and better access to government programs.
Go also noted that the concerns raised by TODA members go beyond transport regulation, as many drivers also struggle with health expenses, education costs for their children, and the need for stable livelihood opportunities.
In addition to tricycle drivers and operators, his legislative efforts also cover delivery riders, who became indispensable during the pandemic as many Filipinos relied on delivery services for food, groceries, medicine, and other basic needs.
Senate Bill No. 1184, or the proposed Food, Grocery, and Pharmacy Delivery Services Protection Act, seeks to protect delivery riders from exploitation and help safeguard their rights and welfare.
In remembering Sevilla, Go said the best tribute to the late transport leader is to continue working for the welfare of TODA members and other public transport workers whose livelihoods remain exposed to fuel price shocks and rising costs.
“Maraming salamat, Sir Ace, dahil buong puso mong ipinaglaban ang transport sector. Hindi ka namin malilimutan. Ipagpapatuloy po natin ang adhikaing matulungan ang ating mga tsuper at operator,” Go concluded.
