Life on the Pedals: The Sikad-Sikad Drivers of Naval
By: Cacharro, Irene P.
Published: October 1,2025
Source: Community Pulse Online
Naval, Biliran –On the busy streets of Naval, the familiar sound of a sikad-sikad (pedicab) chain turning is part of daily life. For many residents, these three-wheeled rides are more than just a cheap way to get around town — they are a symbol of hard work and perseverance.
Every morning, dozens of sikad drivers begin pedaling before sunrise. For as little as ₱10, passengers can ride short distances, whether it’s to the market, school, or the pier. But behind the affordable fare is a driver working long hours under the heat of the sun, earning just enough to feed his family.
“I usually start at 6 a.m. and finish at 9 p.m.,” Romeo says a 48-year-old sikad driver who has been pedaling for 10 years. “Sometimes I earn ₱300 a day, sometimes less — depende sa pasahero.” Tatay Romeo gives a boundary fee of 80 pesos to his operator for using the pedicab.Health problems are common among drivers. Many complain of back pain, muscle fatigue, and colds due to constant exposure to heat and rain. Despite this, they keep pedaling because it’s their only source of income.
Sikad-sikad drivers in Naval struggle with low and unstable income, long hours of exhausting pedaling that cause health problems, high costs for permits and maintenance, lack of benefits or government support, and the pressure of providing for their families while often feeling unrecognized despite their vital role in local transportation.
For Naval, the sikad-sikad is more than just a ride — it is a lifeline that keeps the town moving.

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