Motorcycles that keep Cebu’s hinterlands moving are now at the center of a new subsidy push, as the provincial government rolls out cash and food aid for informal transport workers.
Thousands of habal-habal drivers across Cebu are set to receive financial and rice assistance starting April 15, under a province-wide program targeting workers in the informal transport sector.
The rollout will begin in Cordova, identified as the pilot area due to the readiness of its beneficiary data, provincial officials said.
Elizar Sabinay, Executive Assistant V assigned to the Provincial Planning and Development Office and Investment Promotions, confirmed that each qualified driver will receive an initial P3,000 cash aid.
He added that recipients will also be given rice to help ease daily expenses.
“We’ll give them the three thousand plus the rice,” he said.
Following the initial distribution, the provincial government will expand the program using a clustering approach, grouping municipalities together to streamline operations and avoid overcrowding during payouts.
Sabinay said the strategy aims to improve efficiency compared to district-based distribution.
“Ang among plano is… ge-cluster namo. Kay kung mag-distribute mi sa Talisay, that includes Minglanilla. Mag-distribute mi sa San Fernando, that includes Naga and possible Carcar,” he said.
“No, we’re looking at cluster kay og district daghan kaayo mag huot unya,” he added.
The number of beneficiaries is expected to increase as validation continues. Initial estimates placed the figure at around 5,000 drivers, but officials said the total is still rising.
“We initially counted five thousand but right now it’s increasing,” Sabinay said.
He noted that identifying beneficiaries remains a challenge due to the lack of formal organization among many habal-habal drivers.
To qualify, applicants must secure endorsement from their barangay or recognized associations, as well as present a valid driver’s license.
“Dili, dili… number one is endorsement from the barangay if they’re member of TODA,” Sabinay said, dismissing claims that a marriage certificate is required.
“Number two, driver license… they must have a driver license, yes, comply with the legal,” he added.
Funding for the program is still being finalized, with projected costs ranging from P100 million to P250 million depending on the final number of beneficiaries.
“Habal-habal drivers now we’re looking at around 100 to 250 million,” Sabinay said.
Governor Pamela Baricuatro earlier said habal-habal drivers were prioritized as many are not covered by national assistance programs.
“Kay ang ubang drivers naa na’y nanghatag, so ang habal-habal drivers jud ang punterya aning sa Province,” she said.
Assistant Provincial Administrator Aldwin Empaces said the program is designed to reach informal workers often excluded from structured aid systems.
“Kani sa province kay gi-focusan ang habal-habal kay mahug mani sila nga informal sectors,” Empaces said.
He added that drivers already receiving national assistance are excluded from the provincial list.
“Ang uban drivers kay ma-cover man sa national emergency. Katong atong gi-cover kay kana jung di masulod,” he said.
Local government units have been tasked to validate and consolidate beneficiary lists, while the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office will guide implementation across municipalities.
“Most LGUs now nag-inventory na sila,” Empaces said. (SBA)
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