By Ashley Erika O. Jose again Chloe Mari A. Hufana, Journalists
The Manibela Transport Group will hold a three-day nationwide strike from April 15, protesting the increase in fuel prices and what it described as the government’s inaction, which poses the risk of disrupting transport in important urban areas.
“We are announcing a nationwide transport strike to protest the government, especially the negligence of the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Transport, and the way oil companies are profiting from the oil crisis,” said Manibela Chairman Mar S. Valbuena in a press conference on Monday.
He said other transport organizations are expected to intervene in this action, including taxi drivers, taxi drivers and motorcyclists, which may increase the level of disruption beyond public utility vehicles (PUVs).
He said the group wants a refund of approximately P57 per liter of gasoline and the suspension of value-added tax on gasoline products to reduce the burden on motorists and motorists who face high costs.
He also added that the postponement of the increase in fares has also depressed wages in this sector.
“There should be relief for drivers and drivers,” said Mr. Valbuena, referring to the government’s decision to stop the adjustment of fares.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) last month canceled a planned increase in PUV fares to help passengers with rising costs, a move that transportation groups say will shift the burden to drivers.
Malacañang on Monday said the planned strike was “premature,” warning that it could worsen the impact of the war-related energy situation in the Middle East.
“We see what the President and the administration are doing and what they have done in the transportation sector,” Palace Press chief Clarissa A. Castro told a separate news conference in Filipino. “They were prioritized.”
He said the government is addressing the problems of transport workers and urged the organizations to negotiate instead of striking.
This strike will not help to deal with the impact of the Middle East crisis, Ms. Castro said, adding that what is needed is dialogue and cooperation.
Gasoline prices have risen in recent weeks following the US-Israeli war with Iran, reducing drivers’ take-home pay and prompting calls for more government support.
In response to this, the government has released a subsidy including P5,000 for fuel to subsidize drivers through the Department of Transportation, on top of the financial assistance provided by the Department of Community Development and Community Development.
The LTFRB will operate PUVs for service on selected routes starting April 15 under a service contract program sponsored by the General Appropriations Act of 2026. The program rewards drivers and operators for providing passengers with free rides while ensuring that transit workers receive a steady income.
In Metro Manila, the system will include the EDSA Bus Carousel and routes served by modern and traditional jeepneys, including those connected to Light Rail Transit and Metro Rail Transit stations and other major transportation hubs.
Authorities said the plan is aimed at curbing the impact of reduced transportation during the strike and supporting passengers and drivers affected by the increase in fuel costs.
The Department of Energy said that the price of fuel may drop in the near future, as diesel is expected to drop by P20.89 per liter, gasoline by P4.43, and kerosene by P8.50 starting Tuesday due to market changes.
However, officials cautioned that price movements remain volatile and dependent on global developments, particularly in the Middle East, where disruptions in supply routes could cause further increases.
Transportation groups also urged President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to consider using emergency powers to suspend or reduce fuel excise taxes, a move that would provide broad relief to the entire sector.
On Monday, the President said he approved the suspension of the excise duty on liquefied petroleum gas and kerosene to ease the impact of the increase in household fuel costs, while leaving the tax on petrol and diesel unchanged.
The special suspension is expected to provide a small relief to the domestic budget but may have a limited impact on transport costs and inflation, which are highly sensitive to diesel prices.
