Tricycle drivers greet Surigao del Norte Governor Robert Lyndon Barbers (right) during the release of the fuel subsidy in Surigao City in time for the celebration of the 124th Labor Day on Friday (May 1, 2026). Over 2,800 tricycle drivers received PHP5,000 each in fuel subsidy. (Photo courtesy of RPN DXKS Surigao)
BUTUAN CITY – At least 2,800 tricycle drivers in Surigao City received fuel subsidies from the provincial government on Labor Day Friday.
Reynaldo Ramos Jr. thanked the provincial government for the timely move to help them.
“This assistance is a big help to tricycle drivers, especially since the rising fuel prices continue to affect us,” he said in the vernacular during an interview.
John Alas, president of Quadro Alas Tatak Lig-on Transportation Association, also thanked the provincial administration.
“The fuel subsidy will allow us to continue with our source of income, amidst the high prices of fuel,” Ala said in a separate interview.
Dayton Pangadin added that the subsidy will be also be used to buy rice and other needs of his family.
“I already had my tricycle gassed up to a full tank after receiving the subsidy and will also pay for change oil,” he said.
Aside from Surigao City, tricycle, bao-bao (three-wheeler) and multicab drivers from other towns in the province are also set to receive their fuel subsidy from the provincial government.
A total of 5,132 drivers in Surigao del Norte will benefit from the fuel subsidy.
Surigao del Norte Governor Robert Lyndon Barbers led the release of the subsidy to help tricycle drivers affected by the fuel crisis caused by ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
“We deducted funds from the Office of the Governor and other departments in the provincial government to come out with this funding for the transport sector,” Barbers said.
He also thanked the Provincial Council for acting on the request to appropriate funding for the fuel subsidy.
“Those who will benefit from the subsidy are those with franchises given by the city government to operate,” Barbers said. (PNA)
