The Cebu Provincial Government has distributed ₱24.41 million in financial assistance to 8,138 motorcycle taxi (habal-habal) drivers across 26 local government units (LGUs) as of Thursday, May 28, 2026.
Program Details
Elizar Sabinay Jr. of the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) announced on Monday, June 1, that the program aims to cover 47,546 drivers provincewide, with a total estimated budget of ₱142 million. The assistance is intended to help transport workers affected by recent natural disasters and supplement existing aid programs for sectors impacted by the global fuel crisis.
Validation Requirements
Sabinay said that strict validation requirements have caused distribution delays in some areas. To qualify, drivers must secure a barangay certification and clearance from a recognized habal-habal association. He explained, “Some associations may have been newly created, so they need to discuss with the barangay and prove they existed before (not an association created just for this). That is why validation takes time.”
Currently, around 20,000 potential beneficiaries are being evaluated in Cebu’s first district, while validation is ongoing for 7,426 drivers in Mandaue City.
Completed Payouts
Based on Provincial Government data, all seven LGUs in the second district have completed payouts: Alcoy, Argao, Boljoon, Dalaguete, Oslob, Samboan, and Santander. In the fourth district, Bantayan, Madridejos, and Santa Fe have also finished distribution. Fuel subsidy payouts were likewise completed in the fifth district municipalities of Catmon, San Francisco, Tudela, Poro, and Pilar, as well as in Cordova in the sixth district. The seventh district posted a 100 percent completion rate across Dumanjug, Ronda, Alcantara, Moalboal, Badian, Alegria, Malabuyoc, and Ginatilan. Tuburan was the only LGU in the third district to complete its payout during this distribution cycle.
Rice Subsidy Program
In addition to cash assistance, the Provincial Government is rolling out a rice distribution program in partnership with the National Government. Qualified transport workers will receive 10 kilograms of rice per round for up to three rounds. The first round has been completed in 26 LGUs. Sabinay said the next rounds could begin in June or July, depending on repacking schedules and distribution timelines set by the Office of the President. The rice subsidy program also covers vulnerable sectors, including farmers, fisherfolk, jeepney drivers, and personnel assigned to the north and south bus terminals.
