Tagbilaran grants fuel subsidy to 3,000 tricycle drivers, fisherfolk
More than 3,000 tricycle drivers and fisherfolk in Tagbilaran City received fuel assistance from the city government as part of its broader P40.35-million Energy Crisis Social Protection Package aimed at helping residents cope with rising fuel and food prices.
Mayor Jane Yap announced the crisis package on April 10, 2026, describing it as the city’s direct response to the growing financial strain on families and key livelihood sectors.
The package included a P1,000 food voucher for every registered household, an expanded Libreng Sakay program, a P2,000 fuel subsidy for transport drivers and fisherfolk, and a P40.35-million supplemental budget for crisis response.
Under the fuel subsidy program, over 3,000 qualified beneficiaries from the transport and fisheries sectors in Tagbilaran City received assistance.
The distribution was held on April 17-19 at the Saulog Gymnasium, where beneficiaries were given P2,000 worth of fuel assistance in the form of 10 vouchers worth P200 each.
Mayor Yap said the program was intended to ease the burden on fisherfolk and tricycle drivers who are directly affected by rising fuel prices.
The assistance also sought to protect the city’s food security and support the continued operation of essential local transport services.
Mayor Yap said the fuel subsidy was more than just financial relief, emphasizing that it was intended to protect livelihoods and ensure that vital sectors of the local economy continued to function despite rising costs.
The assistance program was carried out through the coordinated efforts of the Tagbilaran City Crisis Management Team and the Sangguniang Panlungsod, which has been leading the city’s response to the economic effects of the energy crisis.
The subsidy distribution formed part of the city government’s wider effort to provide immediate, targeted, and sustainable relief to sectors most affected by the ongoing energy crisis.
On April 17, 2026, at a designated distribution venue in Tagbilaran City, a tricycle driver is assisted by city personnel as the former processes his fuel subsidy. He is one of over 3,000 beneficiaries from the transport and fisheries sectors who received aid under the city’s Energy Crisis Social Protection Package aimed at easing the impact of rising fuel costs. (Contributed photo)
Fifteen barangays to compete in Tagbilaran’s Saulog Festival King and Queen 2026
Fifteen barangays in Tagbilaran City are set to compete in the Saulog Festival King and Queen 2026 on April 22, 2026 at the CPG Sports Complex, with each barangay fielding one male and one female candidate for the annual event.
Among the official candidates are Carl Elmer Ontog and Janice Cuajao for Barangay Bool; Julius Nico Oya and Honey Mae Hayag for Barangay Booy; Carl Ivan Quiza and Princess Kyla Sarmiento for Barangay Cabawan; and Rhakie Brett Guitguiten and Sheena Milan for Barangay Cogon.
Also joining the Festival King and Queen are Jon Vince Sarabia and Elizah Chrystal Albuena for Barangay Dampas; Jovanie Abayon and Stephanie Kate Marsh for Barangay Dao; Darel Collens Oro and Geriza Necesario for Barangay Manga; and Axel Lei Unajan and Ferjean Basilio for Barangay Mansasa.
Representing the other barangays are JN Lorence Ras and Stevenie Vai Gorpido for Poblacion I, Leigh Marco Guday and Yuri Charina Sugimoto for Poblacion II, and Jazpher Lacbayo and Nipre Tehre Balagot for Poblacion III.
Completing the roster are James Howard Saldia and Dennisa Ybañez for San Isidro, Josh Ed Lorenz Mansueto and Alexa Angeline Junio for Taloto, Nych Harold Beniga and Kareshma Sale for Tiptip, and Angelo Albrando and Samantha Faye Plaza for Ubujan.
These individuals, meticulously selected to represent their barangay, are poised to captivate the audience with their grace and charisma.
Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Yap expressed her enthusiasm for the event, highlighting its significance in showcasing the diverse talents and cultural heritage of Tagbilaran.
“The Festival King and Queen competition is not just a showcase of beauty and talent but also an opportunity to promote local tourism sites, culinary delights, and entrepreneurial ventures across the city’s barangays,” Mayor Yap remarked.
The Saulog Festival King and Queen competition has consistently attracted large crowds over the years, with barangays demonstrating enthusiastic audience support.
The City Government of Tagbilaran is grateful to Saulog Tagbilaran 2026 Co-Presentors: T3CK, Gaprotec Security Inc., Copier Source Enterprises, Du Ek Sam/DES Marketing, Bohol Tropics Resort, Converge Fiber X, Save N’ Earn- Xiaomi, Alturas Group of Companies and Talk N Text-PLDT.
The Saulog 2026 Platinum Sponsors are LABB Solar Energy, Atlantic Erectors Engineering and Construction, Bohol Quality Corporation , Nodal Electric Trade and Services, Mega Speed ICT Solutions, Inc., Val Anthony Construction, C&E Adaptive Learning Solutions, Weld Powertools and Construction Corporation, Ibex, Bohol Light Company Inc. and Lite Shipping Corporation.
The Diamond Sponsors are Byro Pharma Corporation, Panalay Tailoring, Globe, Fortune Real Properties, AH Shopper’s Mart, First Consolidated Bank, Sagility, Autokid, Truck Solutions, Balai La Niña Beach Resort, TWD Trading Corporation, Land Bank of the Philippines, Development Bank of the Philippines, Bohol Water Utilities, Inc., SPC Island Power Corporation and Nature’s Spring.
The Saulog Tagbilaran Media partners are The Bohol Tribune, Bohol Chronicle, Bohol Times, Bohol Balita Daily News, Bohol News Today, Bohol Island News, CDN Digital, DYRD, DYTR, Kiss 102.3 FM, 91.1 Balita FM, Bee FM 92.7.
Commanding the stage at the CPG Sports Complex on April 22, 2026, the Festival King and Queen of Barangay BOOY dazzle during the Saulog Festival King and Queen 2026, showcasing a well-crafted costume that celebrates the artistry and rich cultural heritage of Tagbilaranons. (Contributed photo)
Tagbilaran strengthens health workers for mental health support during crises
The City Government of Tagbilaran conducted its second Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Training from April 14 to 17, 2026 at JJ’s Seafood Village, Tagbilaran City.
The four-day training was attended by the staff of the Tagbilaran City Primary Care Facility (TCPCF) including doctors, nurses, midwives and other health personnel, as well as, Barangay Health Workers, Barangay Nutrition Scholars, and personnel from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).
The training was led by Dr. Jeia Pondoc, City Health Officer and head of the Tagbilaran City Primary Care Facility, with resource speakers from the Department of Health-Central Visayas Center for Health Development.
Dr. Pondoc said that the training was aimed at strengthening the capacity of city- and barangay-level responders to deliver basic mental health and psychosocial support, particularly during disasters, crises and other high-stress situations.
City Mayor Jane Yap added that the activity reflected the city’s effort to make mental health support part of frontline public service.
“In times of crisis, people need more than physical assistance.
They also need care, understanding, and emotional support,” Yap said.
“By training our health workers and responders, we are strengthening Tagbilaran’s ability to care for our people in their most difficult moments.”
The City Government of Tagbilaran is holding this training as part of its continuing effort to build a more responsive local health system, with mental health and psychosocial care integrated into emergency preparedness and health services.
Dr. Jeia N. Pondoc, City Health Officer, is shown delivering a message at JJ’s Seafood Village in Tagbilaran City (on April 14, 2926) to participants of the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Training participated in by frontline health workers and responders held for 4 days at the same venue. (Contributed photo)