Jeepney drivers staged a noise barrage in Baclaran on Tuesday to protest a steep increase in fuel prices, while denouncing an alleged cutoff by some gas stations in providing a ₱12 fuel discount.

According to the report by RH Jecelle Ricafort, despite the bad weather, drivers lined up along the service road of Roxas Boulevard to air their grievances and call on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to address the rising cost of fuel.

Piston national coordinator Cerilo Latoreno said the fuel price increase was unjust, particularly as drivers continue to deal with flooding and the effects of successive storms and southwest monsoon rains.

Drivers are struggling to cope with diesel prices approaching ₱90 per liter, further increasing their daily operating costs.

Latoreno also criticized the alleged cutoff imposed by some gas stations on the ₱12 fuel discount, saying the program is already limited to a small number of participating stations.

The issue has particularly affected drivers plying the Baclaran-Divisoria-Mabini route, he said.

Latoreno said drivers are losing as much as ₱1,000 in daily income because of the rising cost of fuel and other expenses.

He called on Marcos to repeal the Oil Deregulation Law and remove value-added and excise taxes on petroleum products.

He also urged Energy Secretary Sharon Garin to prevent oil companies from taking advantage of the situation amid ongoing calamities.

Latoreno said Garin should step down if she could not fulfill her responsibility to protect the public from what he described as excessive fuel price increases.