By Tracy Cabrera
PISTON president ‘Mody’ Floranda.
MANILA, Philippines — Reeling from the impact of steep fuel price hikes caused by Middle East supply disruptions, jeepney drivers are set to stage a nationwide transport strike on Thursday, March 19, urging the government to take action.
Transport group Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) earlier announced the one-day suspension of operations to protest what it calls the government’s “slow” response to rising fuel costs and the resulting burden on drivers and commuters.
According to PISTON president Modesto “Mody” Floranda, the strike aims to pressure the Marcos Jr. administration to remove value-added and excise taxes on petroleum, cap fuel prices at ₱55 per liter, and approve a ₱5 fare increase amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, lawmakers in both the Senate and the House of Representatives are pushing to pass a bill granting President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. emergency powers to suspend or reduce fuel excise taxes for up to six months.
Even if the suspension is implemented, however, fuel prices would likely drop by only ₱5 to ₱10 per liter—far below the double-digit increases seen across most petroleum companies over the past two weeks.
Floranda and other public utility drivers condemned the sharp price hikes by oil companies, despite their billions in profits.
At the same time, the House of Representatives is considering a review or possible repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law, which currently allows firms to adjust petroleum prices based on the Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) and their inventories.
elamigo/xf
