Metro Manila, Philippines – Jeepney drivers said they cannot survive high fuel costs despite a hefty cut in diesel prices and a number of government assistance programs.
On Tuesday, April 21, major transport groups Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) and Manibela joined other organizations in nationwide protests.
They reiterated a common demand: junk the Oil Deregulation Law and suspend value-added tax (VAT) and excise taxes on fuel.
“Kapag tiningnan natin yung rollback, maliit ito kumpara sa itinaas mula noong Marso nang magkaroon ng US aggression,” said PISTON national president Mody Floranda.
[Translation: If we look at the rollback, it is small compared to how much prices have increased since March, when US aggression began.]
ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio called on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to take a more proactive role in addressing challenges and to listen to the transport sector’s grievances.
“Tengang kawali pa rin si Pangulong Marcos Jr. at Malacañang sa napakasimpleng panawagan mula nang magsimula ang krisis na ito,” he said.
[Translation: The President and Malacañang remain unresponsive to even the simplest calls since this crisis began.]
Transport groups are also pushing for diesel and gasoline prices to drop to no more than ₱60 per liter.
On Monday, PISTON filed a petition seeking a ₱10 fare increase, which would bring the minimum jeepney fare to ₱23.
