By Lia Atienza

On Thursday, March 26, transport groups Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON), Manibela, and others nationwide started the first day of the two-day transport strike against rising fuel prices in the Philippines, amidst ongoing tensions in the Middle East. 

The strike calls for the rollback of oil prices to P55 per liter, from the current P120 per liter, as well as the abolishment of Value Added Tax (VAT), excise tax on fuel, and the Oil Deregulation Law. 

The transport strike followed President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signing Republic Act No. 12316, giving him the authority to suspend and reduce the VAT and excise tax on fuel. 

Piston led the “No To Oil Price Hike” Coalition in Aurora Boulevard, Cubao, while Manibela led another strike in Commonwealth Avenue. 

“We said it should not just be suspended — it should be scrapped,” said Piston President Mody Floranda. 

Floranda also emphasized that the demands of the current strike do not differ from the group’s previous strikes on March 19 and March 20, noting that the government has yet to provide concrete action to address the grievances of both transport and commuter groups. 

Similarly, Manibela Chairperson Mar Valbuena stated that transport strikes will persist until the government listens and takes action on the calls of the groups.

“If the government remains slow in addressing the concerns of the transport sector, farmers, fisherfolk, and affected workers, we will continue our protests and transport strikes,” added Valbuena. 

Valbuena also addressed commuters on Thursday’s strike, asking for understanding and sympathy for the group’s call to raise transportation fares to aid drivers amidst the rising fuel costs.

This call came after Marcos ordered the suspension of fare hikes, which took effect last Thursday, March 19. 

In response to the ongoing transport strikes, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) rolled out “libreng sakay” from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Thursday, March 26, to Friday, March 27, to help commuters affected by the strikes. 

This also includes buses from the Office of the President (OP), DOTr, Department of Energy (DOE), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Philippine National Police (PNP), traveling the routes: 

• Philcoa-Cubao
• Welcome Rotonda-Cubao
• Lawton-Welcome Rotonda
• Lawton-PITX
• Nagtahan-Cubao
• Commonwealth-Fairview

On Tuesday, March 24, Marcos declared the Philippines a state of national energy emergency due to the critical oil supply in the country.

Meanwhile, transport groups across the archipelago are set to continue their strike on Friday, March 27.