Cebu Launches Rice Distribution Program for Public Utility Jeepney Drivers
In a significant relief effort, the Cebu Provincial Government, in collaboration with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Central Visayas (LTFRB 7), initiated the distribution of 10 kilos of rice to public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers at the Capitol Grounds on Thursday, April 9, 2026. This initiative targets 4,000 registered voters in the province, with the first batch already benefiting 2,120 drivers.
Expanding the Beneficiary List
Provincial officials are actively coordinating with transport operators to include additional drivers and fewer than 1,000 non-driving personnel, particularly those operating outside Metro Cebu who are not on the LTFRB 7 validated list. Elizar Sabinay Jr. of the Provincial Planning and Development Office emphasized that preparations, including packing and logistics, are ongoing to ensure a smooth distribution process. "Currently, we have 4,000 drivers on the LTFRB list, but we are supplementing it with operators' lists, including non-driving personnel," Sabinay stated.
Funding and Distribution Details
The P360 million subsidy is funded under the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), downloaded from the national government. This program aims to supplement existing assistance for sectors heavily affected by the global fuel crisis, such as farmers and fisherfolk, who will receive rice subsidies on a staggered basis. Distributions will continue weekly in batches, with separate schedules set for the south on April 20 and the north on April 26, including island municipalities. Beneficiaries must be registered transport personnel residing in Cebu Province, with the list being validated and expanded in coordination with transport operators.
Rice Sourcing and Procurement
Provincial Agriculturist Roldan Saragena revealed that the rice supply was sourced from the Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative, which consolidated produce from farmers in western Cebu, including Pinamungajan. A total of 4,570 packs of five kilograms of rice, or 22,850 kilos, were prepared, with each beneficiary receiving two packs. The rice is a mix of white and red varieties, procured at P2,650 per 50-kilo sack, lower than market prices. This subsidy is expected to last about a week or more for a driver's family.
Drivers' Personal Stories Highlight Struggle
The impact of high fuel prices is vividly illustrated through the experiences of local drivers. Ramil Minoza, 30, from Pinamungajan, supporting a family of six, said, "This is already a big help to us." Bryan Labeste, 37, a single father of three from Tabogon, earns only P200 to P300 a day and stressed, "Kulang kaayo (My earnings are really not enough)," urging more government attention to the transport sector. Roberto Martinez, 80, a jeepney driver from Dumanjug town now residing in Banawa, Cebu City, was moved to tears upon receiving his subsidy. Assisted in a wheelchair after feeling dizzy from the heat, he stopped driving on March 24 as his earnings could no longer cover daily needs, including maintenance medicines, following his wife's death.
Future Assistance Plans
The Provincial Government is also set to extend assistance to habal-habal drivers, with an initial list of 5,000 beneficiaries. The next distribution is scheduled for April 15 in Cordova, where recipients will receive both rice and financial assistance of P3,000. Sabinay estimated the budget for this component at P100 million to P150 million, with future distributions conducted by cluster to manage crowd volume and ensure an orderly rollout. In a previous report, the transport sector was slated to receive P100 million in fuel subsidies, providing P3,000 to P5,000 to habal-habal drivers not covered by other government aid, with the province exploring a fuel voucher system with local gas stations.
