Manila: The Ilocos Norte government, through its Metro Ilocos Norte Council (MINC), continues to provide fuel aid to its 13,948 tricycle drivers and operators under the "Manayon a Tulong Pasada (Tuloy-tuloy na Tulong Pasada)" program. Among the latest beneficiaries of the PHP3,000 cash subsidy were 519 tricycle drivers, mostly from this city and nearby San Nicolas town, according to Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos, who spearheaded the distribution on Thursday in Barangay Casili covered court.

According to Philippines News Agency, the provincial government has been distributing fuel subsidy to cushion the impact of oil price hikes among the marginalized sectors. Of the 13,948 tricycle drivers registered under the program, the MINC reported that only the city of Batac has yet to receive their fuel subsidy from the provincial government. The MINC said it will set the schedule of distribution as soon as the weather improves.

Aside from the fuel subsidy, each beneficiary also receives a T-shirt, visibility vest, and five kilos of rice. "All MINC-registered drivers and operators of public utility vehicles are also entitled to accident insurance coverage ranging from PHP30,000 to PHP50,000," Dale Reantillo, MINC administrative officer, said in a media interview on Thursday.

The provincial government's fuel subsidy program started in 2021 and has been carried out annually. It is separate from the national government's fuel subsidy program to select sectors, including farmers and fisherfolk.