FIRST DISTRICT, Pampanga – Tricycle and jeepney drivers in the First District of Pampanga are set to receive 5 kilos of rice each, personally donated by Congressman Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. through Biotop Philippines Agriculture Company, Inc., owned by the solon’s family.
Beginning on the first week of May 2026, Lazatin and his staff will visit all tricycle and jeepney terminals in Angeles City, Mabalacat City, and Magalang Municipality to distribute the sacks of rice to 17,074 members of the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations (TODA) and 2,555 members of the Jeepney Operators and Drivers Associations (JODA).
“Napakahalaga ng papel na ginagampanan ng mga driver sa paggalaw ng ating ekonomiya, pero malaki ang paghihirap na dinaranas nila ngayon dahil sa tuloy-tuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng krudo. Dahil dito, gusto nating maghatid ng maliit na personal nating tulong para sa kanila,” Lazatin said.
It can be recalled that since his time as Angeles City Mayor, it has been Lazatin’s tradition to give 5 kilos of rice each to tricycle drivers and jeepney drivers as his personal Christmas gift to the transport sector.
Data from the Department of Energy (DOE) show that there has been a double-digit increase across various petroleum products since the joint attack of the US and Israel against Iran.
Diesel prices in the country went up by 50% while gasoline prices went up by 34% to 43% from February 24 to March 30, 2026.
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(File photo shows Lazatin during his meeting with members of the Federation of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (FEDTODA) Angeles City, led by their president, Almario Jimenez, to discuss assistance programs for drivers amidst the fuel price hike.)