Up to 390 registered island hopping operators and their boatmen in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu received financial assistance from the city government.

The beneficiaries received P5,400 each during distribution at the city auditorium on May 28, 2026.

According to the head of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, their basis is the list of those who paid the environmental fee consistently.

There are 130 registered island hopping operators with two boatmen in Lapu-Lapu City.

Jocelyn Abayan, head of CENRO in Lapu-Lapu City, said the aid is a way for the city to give back to the operators for helping the city by paying the environmental fee diligently.

“In lieu sa ilang pagtabang sa syudad nga… naggahin gyud sila og bayad para sa environmental fee so mao nang nihatag pud ta og ayuda sa ilaha,” she said.

Jerrylito Amorato, captain of a motorbanca in Barangay Baring, said the monetary assistance is a big help to them considering that fewer tourists have travelled to Mactan Island recently.

The fuel crisis, triggered by the tensions in the Middle East, has affected the tourism sector tremendously because travel has become more expensive.

Lapu-Lapu City, which is located in Mactan Island in Cebu, is dependent highly on tourism.

The island hopping operators also were not allowed to accommodate guests during the ASEAN Summit, which was held in Mactan is the last week of April 2026.