Bacolod: The city government is providing rice aid to both traditional and modern jeepney drivers as part of efforts to ease the impact of rising fuel prices on the local transport sector. Distribution of 5 kilos of rice each to 1,000 beneficiaries began on Sunday, while on Monday, another batch of public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers also received rice assistance.

According to Philippines News Agency, Mayor Greg Gasataya stated, "We continue the distribution of rice to drivers who are affected by the huge increase in fuel prices. The city is also working to provide similar assistance to other affected sectors of our community." The local government has been deploying pickup trucks to terminals across the city to deliver rice directly to drivers.

Meanwhile, the city's Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) was scheduled to finalize on Monday the number of tricycle drivers who will receive the PHP5,000 cash relief assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). DSSD head Richelle Verdeprado-Mangga mentioned in an interview, "We are set to meet with the DSWD to finalize the details of the tricycle drivers' subsidy. We will later discuss the assistance for PUJ drivers."

The DSWD provides cash aid to each driver-beneficiary to assist them and their families in managing the effects of rising fuel prices. Last year, the city registered about 6,200 operating tricycles. However, data from the Business Permits and Licensing Office showed only 2,600 have secured a mayor's permit as of March 2026.