CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — It is now the turn of thousands of habal-habal drivers in Cebu to receive relief as the provincial government begins distributing a P3,000 cash subsidy along with rice assistance starting this April 15.
The aid, aimed at supporting drivers in the informal transport sector, will initially be rolled out in the town of Cordova.
Elizar Sabinay, Executive Assistant V assigned to the Provincial Planning and Development Office and Investment Promotions, confirmed that each qualified driver will receive P3,000 as an initial subsidy.
Sabinay said Cordova was chosen as the first distribution site due to logistical considerations, noting that beneficiary lists from the local government unit (LGU) are already available.
“We’ll start April 15, Cordova, kay nana mi list man base sa among source from the LGU, so we will meet them sa distribution,” he said.
He added that aside from the cash subsidy, beneficiaries will also receive rice assistance during the distribution.
Following the Cordova rollout, the provincial government plans to implement a cluster-based distribution system to cover other areas efficiently.
Sabinay explained that grouping municipalities will help manage crowds and streamline operations.
“Ang among plano is…ge-cluster namo. Kay kung mag-distribute mi sa Talisay, that includes Minglanilla. Mag-distribute mi sa San Fernando, that includes Naga and possible Carcar,” he said.
He clarified that the distribution will not follow district boundaries.
“No, we’re looking at cluster kay og district daghan kaayo mag huot unya,” he added.
The number of target beneficiaries is also expected to grow beyond the initial estimate of 5,000 drivers.
“We initially counted five thousand but right now it’s increasing,” Sabinay said.
He noted that not all habal-habal drivers are formally organized, which affects the listing process.
“The way we list man gud is number one they must be part of the association…but not all man gud forms and associations,” he explained.
Sabinay also addressed confusion regarding documentary requirements, particularly claims that a marriage certificate is needed.
“Dili, dili…number one is endorsement from the barangay if they’re member of TODA,” he said.
He added that applicants may also secure endorsement from their habal-habal association if barangay certification is difficult to obtain. Another key requirement is a valid driver’s license.
“Number two, driver license…they must have a driver license, yes, comply with the legal,” Sabinay stressed.
Sabinay said initial estimates place the funding requirement between P100 million and P250 million; however, he added that such figures will still have to be validated.
He added that the province is currently adjusting the scale of assistance based on available funds.
Earlier, Governor Pamela Baricuatro announced that the province was preparing a fuel subsidy program ranging from P3,000 to P5,000 per driver.
However, the initial rollout now includes direct cash assistance alongside rice support.
The governor had emphasized that the program targets habal-habal drivers who are not covered by national government aid.
“Kay ang ubang drivers naa na’y nanghatag, so ang habal-habal drivers jud ang punterya aning sa Province,” she said in a previous briefing.
Provincial officials underscored that many habal-habal drivers belong to the informal sector, making them ineligible for existing national assistance programs.
Assistant Provincial Administrator Aldwin Empaces said the initiative is part of a broader “sectoral marginalized intervention.”
“Kani sa province kay gi-focusan ang habal-habal kay mahug mani sila nga informal sectors,” Empaces said.
He noted that other transport groups are already covered by national emergency assistance, which prompts a more focused aid effort toward habal-habal riders.
Validation ongoing
Local government units have been tasked with consolidating and validating beneficiary lists to ensure only qualified drivers receive assistance.
“Most LGUs now nag-inventory na sila,” Empaces said.
He added that the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office has been directed to guide LGUs in implementing the program.
“Ang instruction nato karon with PSWDO is unsa’y ihatag didto, mosunod nalang ‘mi,” he said.
| Written by Jonnavie Villa and Sandara Laurente CTU-Tuburan Intern/IHM
