As fuel prices continue to climb amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, more than 2,000 tricycle drivers in Iloilo City are set to receive P5,000 in cash assistance from the national government—offering a lifeline to a sector already strained by rising operating costs.
Iloilo City has been identified as one of 14 pilot areas in Western Visayas for the subsidy rollout, signaling the government’s targeted response to cushion the impact on vulnerable transport workers.
Mayor Raisa Treñas confirmed the development, noting that the city government is working closely with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) to fast-track documentation and ensure that qualified drivers receive the aid. Distribution is scheduled on April 8, 2026.
Even ahead of the national assistance, the city has already begun deploying its own support measures. A locally funded fuel subsidy program is currently underway, with 1,239 fuel subsidy coupons distributed as of March 26—an interim response to the daily financial strain faced by drivers.
The dual-track approach—local subsidies backed by incoming national aid—reflects an urgent effort to stabilize the transport sector, where earnings are increasingly squeezed by volatile fuel prices.
For many drivers, the assistance is more than financial relief; it is a buffer against uncertainty, as global developments continue to ripple down to everyday livelihoods on Iloilo’s roads.IMT
