Sariaya tricycle drivers receive fuel subsidy assistance

By Jay B. Laurino Tricycle drivers line up for fuel subsidy assistance during a payout activity in Sariaya on May 21, 2026. (Mayor Marivic ...

By Jay B. Laurino

Tricycle drivers line up for fuel subsidy assistance during a payout activity in Sariaya on May 21, 2026. (Mayor Marivic T. Gayeta)

SARIAYA, Quezon - Tricycle drivers lined up on Wednesday, May 21, as fuel subsidy payouts opened in Sariaya under a national government assistance program. Rising fuel prices and daily expenses continue squeezing transport workers who depend on passenger fares to feed their families.

To help ease those financial pressures, the Department of Social Welfare and Development released a total of P8.35 million in assistance for 1,670 TODA members in partnership with the Sariaya local government. Beneficiaries from different barangays gathered at the payout venue to receive P5,000 each under the fuel subsidy program.



Mayor Marivic T. Gayeta said tricycle drivers keep commuters moving across barangays despite increasing fuel costs and long working hours. She described the subsidy as recognition of the drivers’ sacrifices and years of service to the community.

“Ang payout na ito ay hindi lamang simpleng tulong, kundi pagkilala rin sa inyong sipag, sakripisyo at mahalagang ambag sa komunidad,” Gayeta said. “Naway makatulong ito sa inyong pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan.”

Many drivers rely on daily trips to pay for fuel, food, school expenses, electricity bills, and other household needs. Higher gasoline prices in recent months have further cut already small earnings, forcing some drivers to spend longer hours on the road to earn enough for their families.

Challenges faced by transport workers have prompted both national and local government agencies to roll out assistance programs for the sector. The Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office and the Business Permits and Licensing Office supervised the distribution activity during the payout.

Members of the Sangguniang Bayan and local government personnel assisted in organizing beneficiaries and processing payouts at the venue. Hundreds of drivers from different barangays waited in line to claim their financial assistance.

“Sa ating mga masisipag na tricycle drivers, kayo po ay isa sa mga katuwang ng ating bayan sa araw-araw na pagbibigay ng serbisyo at ligtas na transportasyon sa ating mga mamamayan,” Gayeta said. “Maraming salamat po sa inyong sipag, tiyaga, at sakripisyong maihatid nang ligtas ang ating mga mamamayan araw-araw.”

The Local Government of Sariaya vowed to continue supporting programs that assist transport workers and residents affected by rising living costs. The local government also pledged to continue coordinating with national agencies to deliver assistance programs for drivers and other workers in the municipality.