Forty-six year old Jason Oncog, a native of Tagbilaran City, Bohol’s capital, is a tricycle driver. However, for the time being, he works as an on-call driver, doing special trips as he was not able to obtain a franchise which would have allowed him to operate his tricycle-for-hire across all city zones, as they were fully subscribed. Jason is keeping an eye if the city government will announce of franchise availability and this will happen if old tricycle owners decide to sell their franchises.

 

Jason is married to Evelyn (43) and they have two children; Christian (20), is a third year college student taking BSc in hotel management and Jave (15) is in grade 12. Evelyn works as a cashier in a hardware store earning a net salary of 8,000 pesos ($130) a month. As for Jason, he has regular customers who books him for trips and when he has no booking, he will wait for possible passengers at his wife’s working place. When the store’s customers do not want to wait for the company’s delivery schedule, they look for another means of transporting their purchases and this is when Jason can get rides. In a month, he makes an average income of 10,000 pesos ($165).

 

In February last year, Jason received his first PSHF livelihood assistance and it was to repair his damaged tricycle roof that leaks when it rains; the loan was subsequently fully repaid within the one-year contract period. Now, Jason is applying for a re-loan and this time to repair the metal flooring and the body of his tricycle. The loan amount will be used to buy stainless steel, galvanized plates as well as to pay for the labor. Jason had saved money for this repair but it was used when his mother Lucy was hospitalised for two weeks due to kidney problems and pneumonia. Jason and his siblings contributed to pay for their mother’s medical expenses. Sadly, Lucy did not survived and died on June 13th.

 

Jason is happy to tell that his tricycle is now fully paid; his installment plan ended last April. His long term plan now is to save for the franchise fee so that he can freely pick up passengers around town. Jason is looking forward to the approval of this loan for his tricycle to be in good condition again so he can continue with his livelihood. We at the PSHF is delighted to help him once more and we wish him well.

 

 

Analyn T. Gallibot

PSHF Bohol

July 2025