Calapan City Mayor Paulino Salvador “Doy” Leachon will launch a pioneering insurance program for tricycle drivers Saturday, marking what officials describe as one of the first comprehensive insurance programs specifically targeting tricycle operators in the Philippines.

The program, dubbed “Todo Benefisyo para sa Tricycle Drivers,” is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, at the Kalap Gym in the City Hall Complex, where hundreds of tricycle drivers are expected to register for the benefits package.

“This insurance program recognizes that tricycle drivers are the backbone of our local transportation system and deserve protection and support,” Leachon said ahead of the launch.

The mayor said the program will provide financial security for drivers who face daily risks on the road.

The comprehensive program will include insurance briefings for tricycle drivers, distribution of official uniforms exclusively for those with regular franchises, and enrollment in the city’s Orange Health Card Plus system.

Participants will also receive discipline city stickers as part of the city’s traffic compliance program.

While Quezon City has previously implemented insurance coverage for tricycle drivers and passengers, Calapan’s program is distinguished by its comprehensive approach, combining insurance with health benefits and driver profiling.

The insurance component addresses a critical gap in coverage for tricycle drivers, who traditionally rely on basic Compulsory Third Party Liability (CTPL) insurance required by the Land Transportation Office.

Calapan’s program expands beyond the standard CTPL to include additional protections tailored to the unique risks faced by tricycle operators.

Leachon, a lawyer who previously served as representative for Oriental Mindoro’s 1st congressional district from 2013 to 2022, has made support for public utility drivers a cornerstone of his mayoral administration under his “Maayos na Bayahe Sigurado” campaign slogan.

The program requires tricycle drivers to have valid franchises and current registrations.

City officials said they plan to expand the program based on initial feedback and participation rates.

Registration for the program continues at the City Hall Complex, with officials targeting full enrollment of the city’s estimated 2,500 registered tricycle drivers by year-end.