TAGBILARAN CITY, BOHOL — A total of 2,959 registered tricycle drivers in Tagbilaran City received ₱5,000 each in cash assistance on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, as part of a government initiative to cushion the impact of the ongoing fuel crisis.
The payout, facilitated by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), targeted drivers whose livelihoods have been severely hampered by diesel and gasoline prices reaching record highs due to the conflict in the Middle East.
The cash relief assistance (CRA) is under the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.
- Beneficiary Selection: The recipients were verified through the Tagbilaran City Business Permit and Licensing Office to ensure the aid reached legitimate franchise holders and drivers.
- Payout Venues: To maintain order, the distribution was held at three key locations: Tagbilaran City Central Elementary School, Ubujan Elementary School, and San Isidro National High School.
- Regional Scope: This distribution in Bohol is part of a wider DSWD Field Office 7 campaign across Central Visayas, covering other major cities such as Cebu, Mandaue, and Toledo.
For many drivers, the ₱5,000 grant serves as a vital lifeline for their families.
- Protacio Bellesas (68): A resident of Barangay San Isidro, Bellesas noted that rising gasoline costs had nearly erased his daily profit. “The assistance I received today is a big help,” he said during the payout.
- Rossinie Balongag (36): Another recipient emphasized that the funds would go directly toward basic necessities, particularly rice and household essentials, which have also seen price increases.
Local authorities and DSWD representatives underscored that the distribution was conducted in a strictly non-partisan manner, with no political figures present during the payouts. This measure was implemented to ensure the focus remained entirely on social protection and crisis response.
The aid comes as the national government rolls out a series of interventions, including fuel subsidies and service contracting, to prevent a total collapse of the public transport system amid the global energy emergency.