2,000 tricycle drivers in Pandi, Bulacan receive rice aid
At least 2,000 tricycle drivers in Pandi, Bulacan, each received 10 kilos of rice on Friday, March 27, through a local government initiative intended to ease the burden of rising fuel and commodity prices.
Two thousand tricycle drivers thanked Mayor Enrico Roque and the members of the Sangguniang Bayan of Pandi, Bulacan after receiving rice assistance on Friday, March 27, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Allan Casipit)
Mayor Enrico Roque, together with members of the Sangguniang Bayan, spearheaded the initiative to support tricycle drivers—one of the sectors most affected by the current situation in the Middle East, which has triggered continuous increases in oil prices and basic goods such as rice.
"Sa diwa po ng kabayanihan, napagkasunduan po namin na ilaan ang aming suweldo para ipambili ng bigas at maipamahagi sa mga aktibong miyembro ng TODA (Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association) sa Pandi (In the spirit of bayanihan, we agreed to allocate our salaries to buy rice and distribute it to the active members of TODA in Pandi), the mayor said.
While waiting for aid from the national government, the local officials decided to provide 10 kilos of rice to each tricycle driver in the town, who has been struggling due to the continuous rise in petroleum costs.
Roque added that the 2,000 qualified TODA members who received rice were part of the first batch, and another 2,000 drivers will be included in the second round of distribution.
The drivers expressed their gratitude to the mayor and councilors, saying that 10 kilos of rice is a big help for their families.