By KIMBERLIE QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — A transport group announced strike actions after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. revoked a P1.00 fare hike while allowing alleged oil industry profiteering, as drivers continue to grapple with fuel prices soaring to over P100 per liter.

On March 19, the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper and Operator Nationwide (Piston) declared a two-day “welgang at protestang bayan” until March 20 as jeepney drivers continue to suffer from high fuel costs and lack of government support.

“Drivers are starving while oil companies profit,” they said, citing Petron’s reported P15 billion earnings in 2025. They alleged firms are selling fuel at elevated prices despite having bought inventories at lower costs, noting the industry’s typical 50–60-day stock.

Piston reported 15 strike centers in the National Capital Region and the Southern Tagalog Region Transport Sector Organization in terminals across the provinces of Laguna, Rizal, Batangas, Quezon, and Cavite. Additionally, protests and strikes are also occurring in Cebu and Panay.

Piston also described the P1.00 fare hike as an insult. “It was already an insult to grant a one-peso fare hike, and Marcos even took it back,” the transport group said.

The group instead called for the removal of VAT and excise taxes on fuel and basic goods, which they said could lower fuel prices by over P20 per liter. They also pushed for a rollback of fuel prices to P55 per liter, approval of a P5.00 fare hike, a P1,200 family living wage, and subsidies for affected sectors.

They reiterated calls to scrap the Oil Deregulation Law, nationalize the oil industry, and oppose foreign-driven conflicts impacting fuel prices.

Organizers urged the public to join the strike and protests, citing government inaction and the growing burden on consumers.# nordis.net