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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Jeepney, tricycle drivers to receive subsidized rice starting Sept. 16

Jeepney, tricycle drivers to receive subsidized rice starting Sept. 16

Published Aug 29, 2025 05:07 pm
Traditional jeepneys ply along Taft Avenue in Manila on June 18, 2025. Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III says the proposed fare increase for public utility vehicles (PUVs) has not yet been approved by the Board pending the outcome of a study by the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) on the impact of the ongoing tension in the Middle East on the price of fuel. (John Louie Abrina / MANILA BULLETIN)
Traditional jeepneys ply along Taft Avenue in Manila on June 18, 2025. Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III says the proposed fare increase for public utility vehicles (PUVs) has not yet been approved by the Board pending the outcome of a study by the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) on the impact of the ongoing tension in the Middle East on the price of fuel. (John Louie Abrina / MANILA BULLETIN)
The Department of Agriculture (DA) will expand the government’s ₱20-per-kilo program into the transportation sector to include jeepney and tricycle drivers beginning next month, further safeguarding the sector from inflationary pressures.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said on Friday, Aug. 29, that he has meet with Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon regarding the program’s expansion to cover transportation groups.
Tiu Laurel said jeepney and tricycle drivers were selected to be beneficiaries of the program since they are “very susceptible” to fluctuation of fuel prices.
Jeepney and tricycle drivers often face the brunt of rising fuel prices, taking a substantial hit to their already daily minimal daily income.
Transport group Piston earlier estimated that jeepney drivers are incurring daily fuel expenses of about ₱1,800 every day.
Tiu Laurel said the government will launch the ₱20 rice program across five areas nationwide, beginning Sept. 16.
While these locations are not yet finalized, he said one of the program’s sites during the day of the launch will be in Navotas.
He said the launch in the coastal city will be capped at 10 kilos per month, benefiting those that are part of operators and drivers associations registered with the local government.
To strengthen the accessibility of the cheaper rice, drivers would also be able to buy the rice from city or municipal halls, alongside the Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) stores.
In a related development, the Department of Agriculture (DA) launched the ₱20-per-kilo rice program on Friday specific towards fisherfolk and registered fishery sector workers.
Eligible beneficiaries of the program may purchase up to 10 kilos per month by presenting their registration under the Registry System for Basic Sectors of Agriculture (RSBSA) or the Fisherfolk Registration System (FishR).
Following this, Tiu Laurel said the DA is looking to expand the program to other farmers outside the rice sector, as well as Walang Gutom program beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Currently, the cheaper rice is available for underprivileged sectors such as senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), solo parents, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries, minimum wage workers, and rice farmers.
The ₱20-per-kilo rice program, which was the realization of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s campaign promise, is planned to be sustained until June 2028 or the end of the president’s term.
Tiu Laurel said the program’s goal is to reach up to 15 million households or approximately 60 million Filipinos.
So far, the ₱20 rice program has reached 212 sites nationwide, serving around 500,000 beneficiaries.
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