A two-day nationwide transport strike organized by various transport groups began on Thursday, March 26, as drivers, operators and various groups protest the continued increase in fuel prices amid tensions in the Middle East.
The strike follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s earlier declaration of a state of national energy emergency, which aims to address the country’s rising energy costs. Members of transport group PISTON gathered early in Manila and other key areas, calling on the government to take immediate action to mitigate the impact of soaring oil prices on drivers and commuters. According to PISTON President Mody Floranda, public transportation in parts of Cubao, Quezon City was already about 80 percent paralyzed at the start of the strike. “Sa ngayon...kapag pinagbasehan natin itong nasa Cubao area ay ang pagnipis noon ng bilang pa rin ng mga public transport, almost nasa 80 percent pa lang,” Floranda said. He added that similar conditions were being observed in other areas, with a full transport paralysis expected by noon or later in the afternoon. In a Facebook post, PISTON said drivers and their families are already feeling the effects of the crisis, as well as commuters who are struggling to find rides amid the dwindling number of public utility vehicles on the road. “Ramdam na ramdam ng mga drayber at ng kanilang mga pamilya ang krisis sa kanilang kumakalam na sikmura, at ramdam din ito ng bawat komyuter na wala nang masakyan sa kalsadang nagsisilagasan na ang mga pumapasadang tsuper,” PISTON said in a Facebook post. The group also criticized the government’s response, saying that while emergency powers were being discussed for the possible suspension of excise taxes on fuel, concrete action has yet to be implemented. “May nalalaman pang Emergency Powers para kuno sa suspensyon ng excise tax sa langis, pero wala namang hakbang na ginagawa habang nagugutom na ang taumbayan!” it added. Earlier, Marcos ordered the suspension suspended the fare hike just a day before its scheduled implementation. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) reported that as of 8:00 a.m., there were no stranded commuters at the onset of the strike.
