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Jose Rodel Clapano - The Philippine Star
March 19, 2026 | 12:00am
President Marcos leads the distribution of P5,000 in fuel subsidy to tricycle drivers in Manila on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
Noel Pabalate, The Philippine STAR
MANILA, Philippines — A total of 59,149 tricycle drivers in Metro Manila have received P5,000 each in cash assistance under the government’s fuel subsidy program, as authorities move to cushion the impact of soaring oil prices driven by tensions in the Middle East.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said payouts are ongoing across multiple sites in the National Capital Region, with Secretary Rex Gatchalian targeting completion by today.
“Overall, we are happy and maybe you can ask the drivers if they are happy. But the goal of the DSWD is to finish by (today),” Gatchalian said during a visit to a payout site in Quezon City.
Beneficiaries welcomed the assistance, citing the growing burden of fuel costs on their daily earnings.
Driver Rexson Mape said the P5,000 cash aid is a big help for him and his family.
“This is a big help, especially to us tricycle drivers. Instead of having something for our family, our earnings go to gasoline. The P5,000 is a big boost for us,” he said.
Authorities noted that up to 40 to 50 percent of drivers’ earnings are being consumed by rising gasoline prices, placing them in a vulnerable situation.
Gatchalian inspected payout sites across Metro Manila, including San Juan, Manila, Quezon City, Mandaluyong and Pasay, to ensure orderly and transparent distribution.
He said beneficiaries are identified based on official records from local government units, allowing faster rollout for tricycle drivers.
Amid reports of illegal collections, the DSWD chief issued a stern warning against individuals charging a P500 “processing fee” for inclusion in the list of beneficiaries.
He stressed that assistance is free and based solely on proper documentation.
To further secure the distribution process, the Philippine National Police deployed officers at payout sites nationwide.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the move aims to prevent scammers from exploiting beneficiaries.
The DSWD said the program will expand in the coming days to cover other public utility vehicle sectors, including TNVS drivers, motorcycle taxi drivers, jeepney operators and delivery riders.
Payouts for these groups are scheduled to begin next week, with a nationwide rollout also being prepared.
The government targets to distribute financial assistance to around 139,000 drivers before Holy Week.
Gatchalian assured drivers outside Metro Manila that assistance will reach them.
Camarines Sur lawmakers Migz and Luigi Villafuerte yesterday urged the government to increase fuel subsidies for fisherfolk.
Rep. Jolo Revilla proposed wider adoption of work-from-home and flexible work arrangements to help reduce fuel consumption and ease the burden on workers.
