Up to 8,000 tricycle drivers in Iloilo, Roxas, and Passi City are the first in Panay Island to receive the P5,000 relief assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The cash aid will be distributed on April 8, 2026 at areas identified by the Local Government Units.
“Ang specific areas ng payout, i-coordinate lang nila sa kanilang Local Government Units,” said Therese Fely Legaste, Regional Information Officer of DSWD-6.
DSWD is distributing the aid to help the drivers who are affected greatly by the skyrocketing prices of fuel triggered by the tensions in the Middle East.
The aid comes just as another round of price increases is set to take effect in the coming days.
According to oil energy sources, the price of diesel can go up to P20 to P21 per liter while the price of gasoline can go up to P6.50 to P7.50 per liter.
Meanwhile, DSWD said it is awaiting guidance from its central office on the aid for PUJ drivers.
“Masakit na talaga. Hindi na kaya. Ang tanong ay kung kalian nila ibibigay. Hanggang ngayon wala pa naman,” said Glen Balisado, a PUJ driver.
Another driver, Robert Ventura, urged DSWD to fast track the release.
“Ibigay na ninyo sa pinakamadaling panahon kasi kailangan na talaga ng mga driver ngayon,” he said.
With the expected fifth round of price hike, motorists in Iloilo are scrambling to refuel.
“Para maka-avail tayo ng medyo mura. Humabol ako ngayong kasi bukas tataas na naman,” motorist Jonathan Maligad said on Monday, April 6.
Authorities are hopeful the supply of fuel in the country will stabilize after Iran allowed oil suppliers from the Philippines to pass the Strait of Hormuz.
But Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said this will not bring down the prices of fuel automatically.
The Strait of Hormuz is where vessels transporting 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas pass.
The Philippines was granted safe passage following a phone conversation between Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi.
