Capitol finalizes fuel subsidy for habal-habal drivers

Local

HABAL-habal drivers across Cebu province may soon receive targeted fuel assistance.

The Cebu provincial government has moved to roll out a subsidy program aimed at easing their daily operating costs, especially for those left out of national transport aid.

Gov. Pamela Baricuatro said the province is in the final stages of refining guidelines for the program, with implementation expected after Holy Week.

“We are already streamlining the guidelines… ang habal-habal drivers gyud ang punterya sa province, but we will do it after Holy Week,” Baricuatro said during a press conference on Wednesday, March 25.

The planned subsidy, estimated at ₱3,000 to ₱5,000 per driver, is intended to directly support fuel expenses, allowing drivers to continue operating despite rising fuel prices.

While existing national subsidies cover formal transport sectors such as jeepneys, buses, and tricycles, provincial officials said many habal-habal drivers remain excluded due to their informal status.

Assistant Provincial Administrator Aldwin Empaces said this gap prompted the province to focus its intervention on motorcycle-for-hire drivers who are not registered under cooperatives or government-recognized groups.

“Other drivers are registered by the national subsidy… that’s why we are focusing on the habal-habal drivers,” Empaces said.

Despite being unregistered, he noted that many of these drivers are known within their communities, allowing local government units (LGUs) to help verify legitimate beneficiaries.

Unlike previous assistance programs, the province is considering a system where aid will be given in fuel form instead of cash.

Officials are exploring partnerships with gasoline stations so drivers can directly claim fuel allocations.

“We are also leaning towards possible mo-partner mi og gas station para fuel gyud ang ihatag. Dili kwarta,” Empaces said.

The structure is meant to ensure that assistance is used strictly for transport operations.

“Kay if there’s fuel, they can earn,” Baricuatro added.

Based on provincial estimates, ₱1,000 worth of fuel could support a driver’s operations for about two weeks. At the upper range, the ₱5,000 subsidy may cover close to two months.

“Ang ₱5,000, two months ang target namo… hopefully maoy target ni Governor nga ma-normalize na ang crisis,” Empaces explained.

Eligibility will depend largely on validation by LGUs, which are tasked with identifying active habal-habal drivers in their respective areas.

To qualify, drivers must:

Be actively operating as habal-habal drivers

Not be recipients of national transport subsidy programs

Be endorsed by their LGU

Baricuatro clarified that formal cooperative membership is not required.

“No need ni sila nga registered og any cooperative… basta they are endorsed by the LGU or mayor,” she said.

Initial estimates place the number of potential beneficiaries at around 5,000 across the province, although officials said the list is still being verified.

“Naay uban naghabal-habal lang kay gipahulam og motor… we need to clean up the list together with the LGUs,” Empaces said.

He added that individuals already covered under other sectors, such as agriculture, may be redirected to appropriate programs instead.

While details are still being finalized, officials indicated the subsidy may not be limited to a one-time release.

The duration will depend on available funding and fuel consumption needs, with the current design targeting a support window of up to two months.

The planned rollout comes as Cebu province implements other measures to ease transport costs, including a temporary reduction in terminal fees for public transport operators.

Officials said these combined efforts are aimed at helping drivers manage rising expenses while minimizing the impact on commuters.

Beyond immediate assistance, the provincial government is also using the initiative to encourage habal-habal drivers to formalize their operations.

“We are also looking for habal-habal drivers to get their license, registration… it’s a way also to help,” Baricuatro said.(TGP)