Thousands of habal-habal drivers across Cebu province received fuel subsidies as the provincial government released P11.8 million in assistance amid rising fuel costs.
A total of 3,950 motorcycle-for-hire drivers from various towns and island municipalities benefited from the program, according to provincial data.
Each recipient received P3,000 in cash assistance intended to help offset fuel expenses.
The initiative is aimed at easing financial pressure on drivers who rely on motorcycles as their primary source of livelihood, particularly amid continued volatility in fuel prices.
Elizar Sabinay of the Provincial Planning and Development Office said the program is designed to support transport workers who are not covered by national subsidy schemes.
He said many habal-habal drivers operate outside formal transport systems, making local government intervention necessary to prevent them from being left out of assistance programs.
The distribution covered both mainland Cebu and island municipalities, including Bantayan and Camotes, where transport options are limited and operating costs are higher.
From April 15 to 25, the Capitol released P5.979 million to 1,993 beneficiaries, with large allocations recorded in southern Cebu towns such as Dalaguete, Oslob, and Cordova. Balamban posted one of the highest payouts during the period.
Another P5.871 million was distributed between April 28 and 29, covering 1,957 additional beneficiaries, with island towns accounting for a major share of recipients.
San Francisco in Camotes recorded one of the largest releases, while Bantayan Island municipalities also received separate allocations.
Sabinay said the provincial government is tightening validation measures to ensure that only legitimate and active drivers are included in the program.
He said beneficiary lists submitted by local government units undergo verification, including checks on association membership and operational history.
Beyond fuel support, the province also distributed 10 kilos of rice each to 5,165 transport workers under a separate assistance program. (SBA)
Photo courtesy of Cebu Province
Comments