Camille Naredo

Tricycle drivers in Manila receive cash assistance from the DSWD on March 17, 2026, as part of the government's response to the surge in fuel prices due to the conflict in the Middle East. Dennis Datu, ABS-CBN News

Tricycle drivers in Manila receive cash assistance from the DSWD on March 17, 2026, as part of the government's response to the surge in fuel prices due to the conflict in the Middle East.

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DSWD

Dennis Datu

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773736289192viber_image_2026-03-17_16-01-10-738.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Tricycle drivers in Manila receive cash assistance from the DSWD on March 17, 2026, as part of the government&#x27;s response to the surge in fuel prices due to the conflict in the Middle East. Dennis Datu, ABS-CBN News" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Tricycle drivers in Manila receive cash assistance from the DSWD on March 17, 2026, as part of the government&#x27;s response to the surge in fuel prices due to the conflict in the Middle East. <em>Dennis Datu, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Hundreds of tricycle drivers in Manila trooped to designated payout centers to receive ₱5,000 in cash relief assistance distributed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), as part of the government’s response to the surge in fuel prices driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.</p><p>Orly Payagona, a 39-year-old tricycle driver from Sta. Mesa, Manila, said his fuel expenses have significantly increased. He used to spend only ₱100 on gasoline for a full day of driving, but with the recent price hikes, ₱200 worth of fuel is now consumed in just half a day.</p><p>He added that his earnings are no longer enough to cover the needs of his family, including food for his wife and two children, making the cash assistance a big help.</p><p>“Gagamitin ko ito pambayad ng bahay tapos yung matitira pangkain-kain,“ Payagona said.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/17/cash-relief-distribution-for-tricycle-drivers-kicks-off-1128">Cash relief distribution for tricycle drivers kicks off amid fuel price surge</a></div><p>Meanwhile, Rafael Generoso has not been able to resume driving his tricycle since suffering a stroke in February. He was among the 1,100 tricycle drivers from Manila’s 4th, 5th, and 6th districts who received assistance in Sta. Mesa.</p><p>“Kung wala po itong ayuda siguro po suffer din po eh dahil po stroke patient ako. Wala ako finance na dumarating sa akin, umaasa lang po ako sa kapatid ko at magulang ko. Eh hindi naman po uubra yung gano&#x27;n, kailangan magbabanat tayo ng buto,” Generoso said.</p><p>Ofel Granado, president of the One TODA Federation of Manila, said drivers are already struggling as their earnings have drastically declined due to high fuel prices.</p><p>“Halos wala na. Pambili na lang ng bigas saka ulam dahil sa taas ng gas. Minsan mga P200... Dati nakakauwi sila minimum na P500, ngayon halos wala na napunta na lang sa gas,” Granado said.</p><p>Granado added that many drivers have stopped operating or have reduced their working hours, as their earnings are barely enough to cover fuel costs, leaving nothing for their families.</p><p>“Hindi na namamasada kasi sayang daw pagod. Pero yung iba nagtiya-tiyaga naman kaysa sa wala, walang maiuwi sa pamilya. May pinag-aaral, mayroong gatas pang binibili, may mga maliliit na anak, may baby,” she added.</p><p>Oscar Abulag, 69, said he used to earn at least ₱1,000 a day when he started driving tricycle in 2014. Now, even if he works until midnight, his earnings do not reach ₱700.</p><p>“Pagpasada, papitik-pitik na lang po kung may time kasi kung itutuloy-tuloy po, pagod lang aabutin mo. Walang mangyayari dahil sa pagtaas ng gasoline. Bukod sa pagtaas ng gasoline lahat ng spare parts nagmamahal,” Abulag said.</p><p>Granado noted that within their CRISTODA group alone, only 25 out of 75 drivers remain active.</p><p>She also emphasized that the <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/15/dswd-to-roll-out-p5-000-fuel-aid-for-ncr-tricycle-drivers-starting-march-17-1728">₱5,000 assistance</a> is not enough and should be followed by additional aid, as many drivers will prioritize essential household needs such as food. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/17/cash-handouts-fare-hikes-as-philippines-battles-soaring-fuel-costs-1224">Cash handouts, fare hikes as Philippines battles soaring fuel costs</a></div><p>“Hindi ko naman lahat yan ikarga sa gas. S&#x27;yempre uunahin ko muna yung pamilya ko, &#x27;di ba? Bili muna ako ng bigas, bili muna ako ng pangangailangan ng pamilya ko,” she said.</p><p>Although tricycle fares in Manila were increased just last year, Granado said they plan to request another fare hike from the city council due to the sharp rise in fuel prices. The federation is still discussing the amount of the proposed adjustment.</p><p>The One TODA Federation of Manila has around 9,000 members, according to Granado.</p><p>The cash assistance distribution in Manila will run until Thursday at several locations, including the Patricia Paraiso Sports Complex in Tondo; Barangay 377 covered court on Pampanga Street in Sta. Cruz; Dakota covered court in Barangay 659 in Ermita, and ASAC covered court in Barangay 627 in Sta. Mesa.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cn9puSXS-wA?&amp;pp=0gcJCcMKAYcqIYzv&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div>

<p>Hundreds of tricycle drivers in Manila trooped to designated payout centers to receive ₱5,000 in cash relief assistance distributed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), as part of the government’s response to the surge in fuel prices driven by the conflict in the Middle East.</p>

Hundreds of tricycle drivers in Manila trooped to designated payout centers to receive ₱5,000 in cash relief assistance distributed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), as part of the government’s response to the surge in fuel prices driven by the conflict in the Middle East.

Manila tricycle drivers share struggles amid high fuel prices; federation eyes new fare hike petition

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Manila tricycle drivers share struggles amid high fuel prices; federation eyes new fare hike petition

Dennis Datu,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 17, 2026 04:37 PM PHT

Read More:

FARE HIKE

CASH ASSISTANCE

FUEL PRICES

TRICYCLE DRIVERS

MANILA

DSWD

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