LILOAN, Cebu — Nearly 3,000 habal‑habal drivers from Liloan and Compostela received a timely lifeline on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, as the Cebu Provincial Government resumed its fuel and rice distribution. The aid acknowledges the daily struggle of motorcycle taxi operators facing surging expenses.
Direct Help for Frontline Riders
Each beneficiary received ₱3,000 in fuel assistance and a 10‑kilogram sack of rice during the distribution held at Barangay San Vicente in Liloan. The first batch covered 1,500 drivers from Liloan and 1,348 from Compostela. Governor Pamela Baricuatro led the turnover, surrounded by local officials and grateful driver communities.
The capitol timed the aid at a critical moment. Drivers have been grappling not only with high fuel prices but also with the rising cost of basic goods, which erodes whatever is left of their daily earnings. By putting cash directly into their hands along with a staple food item, the province addressed both operational and household burdens at once.
Voices from the Streets
For Renante Cagang of Barangay Calero in Liloan, the assistance could not have arrived at a better time. He described the hardship of earning a living as a habal‑habal driver when both fuel and household necessities are expensive. His sentiment echoed across the crowd, where many expressed relief that the provincial government recognized their daily grind.
Wilma Zarraga of Barangay Dapdap in Compostela expressed gratitude for the return of the aid program. She noted that while drivers often feel invisible in the broader economy, the direct assistance gives them a sense of being seen and valued. The rice component, she added, helps feed their families, not just fuel their motorcycles.
A Governor’s Pledge and a Venue Upgrade
Governor Baricuatro addressed the crowd with empathy, acknowledging the difficult times everyone faces. She promised to keep looking for ways to help communities continuously. In addition to the transport aid, she pledged to provide an industrial ceiling fan for the Barangay San Vicente hall and fund roof insulation repairs.
Barangay Captain Victor Comendador thanked the governor and expressed hope that more communities would experience the same support. The venue improvements, while modest, signaled the capitol’s willingness to address both immediate needs and longer‑term community infrastructure. The gesture reinforced the message that the government is present and responsive.
A Second Wave on the Way
The distribution is the first of two rounds scheduled for the two municipalities. Provincial staff will return on August 18 to assist additional drivers who were not covered in the initial batch. Compostela Vice Mayor Froilan Quiño promised that the towns would find ways to reciprocate the generosity shown by the Capitol.
Fifth District Board Member Mike Villamor joined the distribution, lending legislative weight to the executive outreach. His presence underscored the alignment between the provincial board and the governor’s office on social assistance programs. The collaboration ensures that aid reaches the intended beneficiaries smoothly and transparently.
A Broader Commitment
The Cebu Provincial Government will continue the distribution in other areas of the province, extending the same fuel and rice support to more habal‑habal operators. The program has become a cornerstone of the Capitol’s response to economic pressure on grassroots transport workers. For the drivers who spend their days navigating backroads and highways, the assistance is both a practical relief and a morale boost.
