BACOLOD City — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has disbursed more than P169 million in fuel subsidies to thousands of tricycle drivers in the Negros Island Region (NIR) grappling with rising fuel costs.
In a social media post, DSWD-NIR reported the successful release of P169,850,000 in cash assistance to 33,970 tricycle drivers across 19 cities during a three-day payout operation from April 8 to 10, 2026.
Each beneficiary received P5,000, providing much-needed support to a sector heavily affected by fluctuating fuel prices.
The subsidy program was implemented in line with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to cushion the economic impact on vulnerable groups, particularly those in the transport sector whose livelihoods depend on daily fuel consumption.
The agency highlighted the efficient and orderly distribution of aid, citing strong coordination between the DSWD and local government units (LGUs). This collaboration ensured proper validation of beneficiaries and the smooth delivery of assistance across multiple locations.
In Negros Occidental, cities covered in the first phase include Bacolod, Bago, Cadiz, Escalante, Himamaylan, Kabankalan, La Carlota, Sagay, San Carlos, Silay, Sipalay, Talisay, and Victorias.
Meanwhile, payouts in Negros Oriental were completed in Bais, Bayawan, Canlaon, Dumaguete, Guihulngan, and Tanjay.
Following the completion of Phase 1, the DSWD is preparing for Phase 2, which will extend the fuel subsidy program to qualified tricycle drivers in municipalities across the region.
The Bacolod City government, meanwhile, is set to appeal the disqualification of some tricycle drivers who were excluded from the initial payout./PN
