Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Bea Cuadra

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/1774399626468viber_image_2026-03-25_02-58-25.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Thousands of jeepney drivers lined up at the Quezon Memorial Circle early Wednesday morning, March 25, for the second day of a week-long cash relief distribution. Bea Cuadra, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA<strong> (UPDATE) </strong>— Thousands of jeepney drivers lined up at the Quezon Memorial Circle early Wednesday morning, March 25, for the second day of a week-long cash relief distribution.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/24/manila-s-jeepney-drivers-struggle-as-middle-east-war-sends-diesel-cost-soaring-1401">Manila&#x27;s jeepney drivers struggle as Middle East war sends diesel cost soaring</a></div><p>More than 4, 000 drivers in the city are expected to be given P5,000 cash assistance today, with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian scheduled to arrive to personally monitor the payout.</p><p>Drivers first entered a validation area to check their requirements, while dedicated help desks staffed by the LTFRB and DSWD were on standby to resolve issues for those whose names were missing from the initial lists.</p><p>Once cleared, drivers proceeded to the final payout station to claim their aid.</p><p>Nilo Alfaro, a 68-year-old veteran of the road, expressed a mix of relief and concern. Despite the help, he noted that his take-home pay has plummeted.</p><p>&quot;Masaya kasi medyo merong grasya na dumating,&quot; Alfaro said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2026/3/25/oil-prices-drop-more-than-5-after-trump-sends-peace-plan-0838">Oil prices drop more than 5 pct after Trump sends peace plan</a></div><p>“Hahatiin ko, yung iba ilalagay ko sa krudo ko, yung iba gagamitin ko sa bahay. Malaki ang epekto, unang una lumiit po ang aming kinikita” he explained.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1616908112689676%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span>He urged the government to consider more frequent interventions, adding, &quot;Kung ganito ang nangyayari na parati tumataas po ang ating mga krudo dapat madugtungan pa ang mga natatanggap naming mga ayuda.&quot;</div><p>The sentiment was echoed by Sanny Lenos, 60, who pointed out that while the cash is welcome, it barely covers two days of operations.</p><p>&quot;Medyo natuwa kami para pandagdag namin pang diesel… Bale dalawang araw lang to na gagamitin namin,&quot; Lenos shared. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/24/more-than-240-000-puv-drivers-to-receive-fuel-subsidy-0958">Gov&#x27;t rolls out fuel subsidy for PUV drivers</a></div><p>Lenos also noted that his daily earnings have dropped by more than half.</p><p>&quot;Minsan kumikita kami ng 800/700… Ngayon inuuwi namin sa bahay 200/300 na lang. Sana madagdagan pa para maano na yung problema namin sa diesel,” he shared.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>CALOOCAN DRIVERS</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>More than 4,000 jeepney drivers in Caloocan are also set to receive their P5,000 cash relief assistance from the government on Wednesday.</p><p>The Caloocan Sports Complex served as the city’s payout center.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/24/grounding-of-flights-a-distinct-possibility-amid-fuel-scarcity-marcos-1512">Grounding of flights a &#x27;distinct possibility&#x27; amid fuel scarcity — Marcos</a></div><p>Some drivers lined up as early as 3:00 a.m. to receive the assistance.</p><p>Driver Manuel Albunian warmly accepted the aid and expressed hope that the government will address the rising prices of petroleum products.</p><p>“Malaking tulong na po ito para sa aming mga driver kasi ang hirap po talaga ngayon ng biyahe. Mas maganda sana kung bababa na lang ‘yung presyo ng diesel. Ang hirap talaga, ang hirap kumita nang maganda,” said Albunian.</p><p>Meanwhile, Darius Antolin is among those who continue to operate despite some of his colleagues giving up due to minimal earnings.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F26277761648532533%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span>“Sayang, pangtulong din sa pamilya. Mabilis naman ang proseso kasi doon palang sa coop namin naka-arrange na. Hindi sasapat ito pero sa pamilya makakatulong. ‘Yung kinikita namin ‘yung kalahati napupunta sa diesel. Ang hirap po, kaya marami samin ang tumitigil. Binabalik na ‘yung unit,” said Antolin.</div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/25/pnp-on-heightened-readiness-after-marcos-declares-energy-emergency-1052">PNP on ‘heightened readiness’ after Marcos declares energy emergency</a></div><p>The distribution of assistance to thousands of jeepney drivers at the Caloocan Sports Complex is expected to be completed by 5:00 p.m.</p><p>As fuel prices remain volatile, the DSWD and LTFRB continue to coordinate to ensure that the remaining drivers on the list receive their payouts before the week ends. <strong>—With a report from CA Sitson, ABS-CBN News</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><strong><br/><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/LP9--MMyl1U?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><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/J2O3hqV6vvw?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><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/gQ1RzKyIE6E?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Thousands of jeepney drivers lined up at the Quezon Memorial Circle early Wednesday morning, March 25, for the second day of a week-long cash relief distribution.</p>

Thousands of jeepney drivers lined up at the Quezon Memorial Circle early Wednesday morning, March 25, for the second day of a week-long cash relief distribution.

Over 4,000 Quezon City jeepney drivers targeted for cash relief as fuel prices surge

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Over 4,000 Quezon City jeepney drivers targeted for cash relief as fuel prices surge

Bea Cuadra,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 25, 2026 08:49 AM PHT

|

Updated March 25, 2026 11:05 AM PHT

Read More:

DSWD

Cash relief assistance

Quezon City

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