Philippines Transport Strike Grounds Jeepneys, Buses, Disrupts Airport Access

More than 20 transport groups composed of jeepney, bus, UV Express, and transport network vehicle service (TNVS) drivers launched a two-day nationwide strike on March 26 to demand government action on rising fuel prices linked to tensions in the Middle East. The action aims to pressure the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to address the impact of the oil price surge.

Jeepney drivers reported earning only around P200 to P300 from plying their routes for several hours as the price of diesel shot up to almost P120 per liter. For bus drivers, high fuel prices have increased daily expenses by up to P6,000 to P8,640, reducing daily income by around 50 percent. The groups, operating under the No to Oil Price Hike coalition, pushed several demands, including the suspension of value-added and excise tax on petroleum products, a rollback of fuel prices to P55 per liter, repeal of the oil deregulation law, and implementation of a fare hike across all modes of transportation.

The second consecutive week of transport strikes got underway with Manibela chairman Mar Valbuena confirming more than 20 strike centers staging protests across Metro Manila and other major cities in Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao, involving jeepney, bus, TNVS, and motorcycle taxi drivers, along with commuter groups and other sectors. Despite President Marcos' declaration of a state of national energy emergency, transport groups said the government is ignoring the roots of the fuel crisis.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority activated its Emergency Operations Center and pre-positioned rescue and free ride vehicles, with rescue units and "libreng sakay" (free ride) units deployed in coordination with Metro Manila local government units for affected commuters. The Department of Transportation also arranged free rides with the Philippine Coast Guard from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. along the Quiapo-Welcome Rotonda, Welcome Rotonda-Cubao, Nagtahan-Cubao, Taft-UN-PITX, and Lawton-PITX routes.

The U.S. Embassy in Manila issued a formal demonstration alert for American citizens, warning of conditions that would persist through Friday. "Transport groups – including jeepney, bus, UV Express, and transport network vehicle service (TNVS) drivers – have said they plan to strike to demand government action on rising fuel prices," the Embassy stated, adding that it remains open and will continue to provide all public services, including American Citizen Services and visa appointments, while advising citizens with appointments to plan for additional travel time and consider alternative transportation options.

The Embassy warned U.S. citizens to expect significant disruptions to public transportation nationwide, protest activity associated with the strike, heavy police presence near demonstration areas, and additional traffic congestion including in the vicinity of the Embassy itself. Citizens were advised to avoid areas affected by protests and large gatherings, monitor local media for updates on traffic conditions, and keep a low profile. Those needing consular assistance can reach the State Department at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free from the United States and Canada, or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday.

Ateneo de Manila University announced that face-to-face classes would continue on March 26 and 27 but that students unable to attend due to transport difficulties should inform their instructors, with faculty advised to extend consideration and employees allowed to opt for work-from-home arrangements. The Polytechnic University of the Philippines shifted all classes to online modalities for the same two-day period, extending the arrangement through April 1 to accommodate Holy Week travel.

PISTON president Mody Floranda said a gathering is planned at Welcome Rotonda on March 27 in the afternoon, with participants planning to march toward Mendiola to confront the administration over its response to the continued rise in petroleum prices. The strike marks the second consecutive week of mass transport actions, following a one-day transport holiday led by the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization and a two-day PISTON strike from March 19 to 20.