Transport group PISTON announced Tuesday a nationwide two-day strike set for Sept. 29 and 30 to protest soaring fuel prices and demand the repeal of the country's Oil Deregulation Law.

The demonstration coincides with a fresh round of pump price increases implemented Tuesday morning, further squeezing the margins of public utility vehicle operators and drivers.

Modesto "Mody" Floranda, national president of PISTON, said the strike aims to pressure the government into immediate tax relief on petroleum products.

"Our demand is the immediate removal of the excise tax and value-added tax on fuel, and to roll back the price of diesel to 55 pesos per liter," Floranda said.

Floranda noted that rising fuel costs have slashed daily net earnings for jeepney drivers by 600 to 700 Philippine pesos, translating to a weekly loss of roughly 4,000 pesos.

The transport leader added that the scheduled strike will proceed regardless of whether the Department of Transportation (DOTr) or the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) moves to approve a fares hike in response to the inflation.