The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has provided a vital financial lifeline to thousands of tricycle drivers in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, as they grapple with the severe impact of escalating fuel prices. On Wednesday, April 8, 2026, nearly 4,000 drivers received P5,000 in cash relief assistance at the Lapu-Lapu City Auditorium Gym in Barangay Poblacion, offering much-needed support for their daily expenses and livelihoods.
Massive Distribution Effort Targets Vulnerable Sector
In a significant relief operation, the DSWD distributed the cash aid to 3,855 tricycle drivers hailing from both mainland and island barangays of Lapu-Lapu City. This initiative is part of the broader Marcos administration's cash assistance program, specifically designed to cushion the blow of soaring fuel costs, inflation, and other economic pressures on public utility vehicle drivers. The payout was conducted simultaneously in Cebu and Bohol for qualified drivers across Central Visayas.
Beneficiaries Share Stories of Struggle and Relief
Among the recipients was 68-year-old Rodrigo Amodia, a tricycle driver with over two decades of experience, who patiently waited in line to claim the assistance. Amodia highlighted the drastic changes in fuel affordability, noting that P400 once filled his motorcycle's tank but now buys only about four liters of gasoline. "The aid from DSWD will help me cope with the soaring fuel prices," he stated in Cebuano, adding that the extra income is crucial for supporting his seven grandchildren, all of whom live with him and attend school.
Another beneficiary, Audie Narvasa, echoed these sentiments, lamenting that gas prices have become prohibitively expensive, with a full tank now costing P700 to P800. In an interview, he revealed that his daily income has plummeted to P300 to P400, down from the P600 to P800 he previously earned. "The CRA will help cover my main expenses, particularly fuel and motorcycle maintenance, which are vital for my daily mobility and livelihood," Narvasa explained in Cebuano.
Verification Process Ensures Targeted Assistance
The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) played a key role in the distribution, with officer-in-charge Sheila Baylosis overseeing the process. Initially, the CSWDO listed 4,135 tricycle drivers as potential beneficiaries, but this number was reduced to 3,855 after verification by the DSWD regional office to eliminate duplicate entries and incomplete information. Baylosis emphasized that the effort was successful, stating, "We can say that a majority or almost 100 percent of drivers were given the cash assistance... We were able to hit the deadline."
Program Details and Broader Impact
The cash relief assistance (CRA) is a one-time P5,000 financial aid typically released through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (Akap) program. It aims to provide immediate, safe, and efficient relief to vulnerable sectors, ensuring they can maintain their mobility and livelihoods amid economic challenges. This distribution underscores the government's commitment to addressing the pressing needs of tricycle drivers, who are essential to local transportation but have been hit hard by the fuel crisis.
As fuel prices continue to strain household budgets, such initiatives offer a temporary reprieve, helping drivers like Amodia and Narvasa navigate these difficult times while supporting their families and communities.
