Tagbilaran launches free rides, 

food vouchers, fuel aid package

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)--The Tagbilaran City Government has launched a P40.35 million Energy Crisis Social Protection Package to help families, transport drivers and fisherfolk cope with rising fuel and food prices – part of a whole-of-government response to a state of national energy emergency declared by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

On March 24, Marcos signed an Executive Order declaring a state of national energy emergency, citing the ongoing Middle East conflict and its impact on global oil supply, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The order activates the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) as the government’s coordinated response framework and explicitly urges local government units to undertake complementary measures within their jurisdictions.

Tagbilaran City’s relief package is among those local responses. Of the total amount, P28.6 million is allocated for a food voucher program benefiting every household in the city, P6.75 million for fuel subsidy assistance and P5 million for the Libreng Sakay program. The funds came from the city’s unappropriated surplus.

“Sa pagsaka sa presyo sa gasolina ug pagkaon, ang inyong City Government of Tagbilaran naglihok dayon pinaagi sa Tagbilaran City Crisis Management Committee para paspas ug tukmang aksyon,” Mayor Jane Yap said in an April 10 Facebook post.

(With the rising prices of gasoline and food, your City Government of Tagbilaran is acting immediately through the Tagbilaran City Crisis Management Committee for swift and appropriate action).

The package includes a P1,000 food voucher for every registered household, an expanded Libreng Sakay program and a P2,000 fuel subsidy for transport drivers and fisherfolk.

“Kini tanan kabahin sa atong Energy Crisis Social Protection Package klarong plano, klarong aksyon,” Yap added.

(This is all part of our Energy Crisis Social Protection Package, a clear plan, clear action).

The mayor said the package integrates immediate relief with longer-term reforms under an Urban Development Plan, with planned projects including new roads, mass-transport hubs, electric buses, and solar-powered terminals.

The city’s initiative aligns with directives under the UPLIFT framework. Under the Executive Order, the Department of Transportation is mandated to provide fuel subsidy allocations, commuter fare subsidies and expansion of public transport services through the Libreng Sakay Program – measures that Tagbilaran City has already rolled out at the local level.

Expanded Libreng Sakay program launched

The expanded Libreng Sakay program was launched on April 13.

The program allows passengers on public utility jeepneys and multicabs along various barangay routes to travel free of charge from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

City personnel issue coupons to commuters, which transport drivers can later redeem for cash from the city government – ensuring continued earnings for operators despite the free fare scheme.

“Ang paghatag og libreng sakay sa mga katawhan dako kaayong tabang karong panahona nga nagkataas ang presyo sa gasolina ug krudo. Kini nga programa ug inisyatibo nakahatag og suporta sa daghang pamilya nga naapektuhan sa krisis,” said Knika Ros M. Cubero, 35, a public school teacher who rode the Libreng Sakay from Tagbilaran City proper to Barangay Manga.

(Providing free rides to the people is a great help in this time of rising gasoline and crude oil prices. This program and initiative has provided support to many families affected by the crisis).

In March 2026, the city government rolled out the original Libreng Sakay program, deploying city buses on three designated routes to key areas in the city and back to three barangays, with consistent drop-off and pick-up points.

The fuel subsidy for transport drivers and fisherfolk is scheduled to for distribution April 16 to 18.

The distribution schedule for the P1,000 food vouchers will be announced in the coming days. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)

Commuters ride a public utility jeepney under Tagbilaran City’s expanded Libreng Sakay program, launched at City Square. The program offers free rides on jeepneys and multicabs along barangay routes within the city as part of the local government’s P40.35 million Energy Crisis Social Protection Package. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)