Hundreds of tricycle drivers in General Santos City flocked to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) office on Monday, March 16, 2026, to secure a voter’s registration certification, which is a requirement for the local government’s fuel subsidy.

The Plaza Heneral in front of the COMELEC office was filled with tricycles as drivers lined up early in the morning.

The fuel subsidy is under a program of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).

But the COMELEC expressed concern over the crowd and supposed lack of coordination.

“Walay communication ni sa COMELEC, ing-ana magkuha og certification… aside from that, naa ta’y limit nga 500 lang nga maximum nga makuha nila nga voter certificate. But ang problema dili ma-isyuhan kay wala nag-cooperate. Dili sila magpatuo kung asa magpila. Mudogok gyud,” COMELEC-General Santos City Election Assistant, Client Vincent Dumaguit, said.

Some drivers said they did not work that day just to go to COMELEC. Others questioned why a voter’s registration is necessary, considering it is already a requirement in obtaining a tricycle franchise.

“Sa pag-process namo daan sa franchise, kumpleto naman requirements…pwerting lisura gyud,” a tricycle driver said.

“Lisud na gane ming tricycle, nganong palisudan-lisudan… basi’g gamay na lang unta nga pagpakabana sa amo ba… sa kadaghan niining tao, ma-cater kaha kaming tanan ani? Makakuha kaha mi og ayuda nga P5,000? Gikinahanglan namo na,” another driver said.

According to the Public Safety Office, the CSWDO program has its own requirements and documents submitted for franchise applications cannot be reused for the fuel subsidy.

“Humingi sila sa amin ng listing. Ang CSWDO, para naman sa subsidy, para sa kanilang programa, now ngayon under sa AICS na ordinance, specific na requirements na nakalagay is voter certification,” Public Safety Office Head, Atty. Jong Gonzales, said.

The offices concerned are set to meet to discuss and address the concerns raised by the tricycle drivers.