Tricycle Fuel Coupons: A Step Forward, But Falling Short of What Workers Truly Need

Posted on Mar. 30, 2026 at 11:08 am

Borongan City’s announcement of fuel subsidy coupons for tricycle drivers, set to be distributed following a meeting between Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda, TODA presidents, and Councilor Ian Ervin Galo on March 23, 2025, is a welcome acknowledgment of the crushing burden that skyrocketing gasoline prices have placed on public transport workers.

However, while the initiative aims to provide relief, it raises critical questions about whether it addresses the full scope of drivers’ struggles amid broader economic pressures. The program’s structure is straightforward: drivers will receive coupons to purchase gasoline at city-approved stations (excluding those owned or connected to the mayor’s family, a transparency measure that deserves recognition), with the local government covering the cost – on the condition that passenger fares remain unchanged.

On the surface, this appears to be a sensible move to protect both drivers and commuters from the ripple effects of global oil price hikes. But here’s the hard truth: fuel is not the only expense eating away at tricycle drivers’ already meager incomes. The same factors driving up gasoline prices – supply chain disruptions, global market volatility, and increased transportation costs – have also pushed the prices of basic commodities to unaffordable levels. Rice, fish, vegetables, medicine, and other essentials that drivers and their families rely on have become increasingly out of reach, yet this subsidy does nothing to ease that burden.

A fuel-only subsidy treats a single symptom of a much larger problem. Tricycle drivers don’t just need help paying for gasoline to keep their vehicles running – they need support to put food on their tables, send their children to school, and cover household expenses that have surged alongside fuel costs. By framing this as a “fuel subsidy” rather than broader financial assistance that addresses multiple needs, the city is missing an opportunity to provide meaningful, comprehensive relief.

Additionally, the condition that fares remain unchanged – while well-intentioned to protect commuters – places all the pressure of rising costs on drivers alone. Even with fuel covered, drivers still face maintenance expenses, vehicle registration fees, insurance costs, and other operational costs that continue to climb. Without corresponding support for these expenses or help with household needs, the fuel coupons may only partially alleviate their financial strain.

The exclusion of family-owned or affiliated gas stations is a positive step toward preventing conflicts of interest, but it also raises questions about whether enough stations will participate to ensure drivers can easily redeem their coupons. Moreover, there is no mention of how the city plans to fund this initiative long-term – a critical consideration given that oil price volatility is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.

What drivers need is not just help with fuel, but a holistic financial assistance program that covers both operational costs and basic household commodities they can no longer afford. This could include direct cash aid, subsidized grocery vouchers, or partnerships with local markets to provide essential goods at reduced prices. Such a program would recognize that a driver’s ability to work and support their family depends on more than just keeping their tricycle on the road.

The city’s effort to support tricycle drivers is commendable, and the transparency measures built into the program are encouraging. But if we truly want to help those who keep our city moving, we must look beyond fuel subsidies and address the full range of economic challenges they face. Only then can we ensure that relief efforts make a real difference in the lives of workers and their families.

(Photo courtesy: LGU Borongan City)