Bago city: Bago City in Negros Occidental on Monday began distributing rice subsidies to nearly 3,000 members of various tricycle operators and drivers associations (TODAs) to help mitigate the impact of rising fuel prices on the local public transport sector. An initial 1,245 tricycle drivers from three TODAs in Barangay Poblacion received 5 kilograms of rice.

According to Philippines News Agency, Mayor Marina Javellana-Yao stated that the city government is extending this assistance to public transport drivers in addition to the cash aid and fuel subsidy they are set to receive from the national government. Javellana emphasized the city's readiness to support the drivers once the funds are allocated to the local government unit. She highlighted the city's ongoing efforts to prepare for the distribution of these resources.

Mayor Javellana recently held discussions with City Administrator Edwin de Nicolas and representatives from several city departments, including the City Social Welfare and Development Office, City Budget Office, City Treasurer's Office, and Office of the City Accountant, to strategize on assisting the tricycle drivers. She urged cooperation and support during challenging times and assured that both national and local governments are actively working to provide necessary assistance.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is poised to distribute PHP5,000 in cash aid to tricycle and jeepney drivers across the country. The DSWD will initiate the payout to approximately 139,000 tricycle drivers in the National Capital Region on Tuesday, with assistance for jeepney drivers commencing on March 23. Similar financial support will also be extended to transportation network vehicle service drivers, motorcycle taxi drivers, and delivery riders.

Additionally, the Department of Transportation, through the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, is set to distribute fuel subsidies as part of the assistance package to public transport drivers nationwide.