Metro Manila, Philippines – A transport group claims its strike disrupted up to 90% of major routes across Metro Manila by Thursday afternoon, March 19.
Piston, along with allied sectoral organizations, led the nationwide protest of jeepney drivers and operators over soaring fuel prices linked to the Middle East conflict.
Demonstrations kicked off at Welcome Rotonda in Quezon City, where protesters later reconvened after staging rallies at around 15 strike centers, including Cubao, Litex, parts of Caloocan, Manila, Makati, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Pasig, Parañaque, and Pasay.
The strike coincided with the supposed implementation of fare hikes for jeepneys, buses, airport taxis, and ride-hailing cars—before these were suspended.
MMDA General Manager Nicolas Torre said there were no reported stranded passengers during the morning rush hour. No updates have been released for the afternoon and evening situations as of writing.
Protests were also held in Cavite, Bulacan, Laguna, Cebu, and parts of Mindanao.
Push for long-term solutions
Beyond fare increases, fuel subsidies, and cash aid, protesters called for long-term solutions to rising fuel prices.
Their key demands include scrapping the value-added and excise taxes on fuel, a rollback to P55 per liter for diesel, and the repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law.
Piston National President Mody Floranda said, “‘yong P5,000 namin ibabalik lang namin sa oil company pero hindi sa aming pamilya,” referring to government cash aid.
(Translation: “That ₱5,000 will just go back to the oil companies, not to our families.”)
He added the group is preparing a petition to raise the minimum jeepney fare by P5 before the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
But Floranda emphasized that while they are pushing for higher fares, they are also calling for an increase in the minimum wage to P1,200.
BAYAN Secretary General Mong Palatino said, “Tayo pong lahat ay apektado ng oil price hike. ‘Di man tayo driver ng jeep, tayong lahat ay consumer… nagbabayad ng buwis.”
(Translation: “All of us are affected by oil price hikes. Even if we’re not jeepney drivers, we are all consumers… we all pay taxes.”)
Meanwhile, a commuter group says the delay in fare hikes will still put the burden on commuters once many drivers stop operating.
“Lalo kaming mahihirapan kasi mas masisira pa talaga yung transport supply,” said Nanoy Rafael, convener of PARA-Commuters Network.
(Translation: “We will have an even harder time because the transport supply will be even more disrupted.”)
Piston will continue its nationwide strike tomorrow, with a march to Mendiola near Malacañang.
“Panimula pa lamang itong March 19 at magkakaroon ng mga serye ng mga pagkilos… Hangga’t hindi pinakikinggan ni Bongbong Marcos yung ating kahilingan,” Floranda said.
(Translation: “This March 19 is just the beginning, and there will be a series of actions… until Bongbong Marcos listens to our demands.”)
