By Erika Mae P. Sinaking, Reporter
TRANSPORT group Manibela began a three-day nationwide strike on Monday to protest spiraling fuel prices as higher jeepney and bus fares took effect, adding pressure on commuters already facing increased transport costs.
Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) said it would hold separate strikes and protests on Sept. 29 and 30.
Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro said the government approved the fare adjustments to help transport operators and drivers cope with higher fuel costs stemming from the Iran war.
“A fare hike was approved, and while we know many will feel the weight of this increase, it must be balanced for the welfare of the transport sector and our commuters,” she told a news briefing in Filipino.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez approved the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s recommendation to implement the fare increase that had been suspended in March, the Department of Transportation said last week.
The minimum fare for traditional jeepneys rose by P1 to P14 for the first four kilometers, with an additional P2 for each succeeding kilometer.
Modern jeepney fares increased by P2 to P17 for the first four kilometers, with an additional P2.40 per succeeding kilometer.
Ordinary city bus fares rose by P2 to P15 for the first five kilometers, while succeeding kilometer charges increased to P2.49 from P2.25. The minimum fare for air-conditioned city buses climbed by P3 to P18, with succeeding kilometer rates rising to P2.98 from P2.65.
Ordinary provincial bus fares increased to P12 from P11 for the first five kilometers, while succeeding kilometer charges rose to P2.20 from P1.90.
The rates for each succeeding kilometer on air-conditioned provincial buses increased to P2.45, while deluxe, super deluxe and luxury bus rates rose to P2.60, P2.70 and P3.35, respectively.
Petitions for fare increases for regular, premium silver and premium gold taxis remain pending before the transport regulator.
Ms. Castro said fuel subsidies and cash assistance for public utility vehicle drivers would continue while the government assesses the revenue implications of suspending fuel excise taxes.
Lawmakers supporting the transport strike said the fare increases would provide insufficient relief to drivers and operators struggling with higher fuel costs.
“The P1 fare hike can help our drivers and operators, but it is too little, too late against the skyrocketing price of oil,” Party-list Rep. Antonio L. Tinio said in a statement.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. last week ordered the temporary suspension of excise taxes on selected liquefied petroleum gas and kerosene products. Excise taxes on gasoline and diesel remain in place.
Mr. Tinio called for broader fuel tax relief, saying it would benefit transport workers and consumers.
“Suspending them will provide immediate, substantial and across-the-board relief not only for transport workers but for all consumers reeling from the endless price increases,” he said.
Party-list Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago urged Congress to pass the Presyo Ibaba bill, which seeks to remove the 12% value-added tax on petroleum products and essential commodities.
She said higher fuel costs were also putting pressure on household budgets by raising the prices of food and basic services.
PISTON said daily diesel expenses had reached P3,000 for a traditional jeepney driver and P6,000 for a modern public utility vehicle driver.
The group argued that the fare adjustments were insufficient to offset the increase in operating costs.
It also accused state-owned and private oil companies of profiting from higher fuel prices, citing overpricing and government tax collections. BusinessWorld could not independently verify its figures.
PISTON called for the removal of the value-added tax on fuel, repeal of the Oil Deregulation law and a national wage increase.
The group identified 13 strike centers in and around Metro Manila as of 10 a.m. on Monday.
Its main strike center was at the intersection of West Point Street and Aurora Boulevard in Cubao, Quezon City.
Other locations included E. Rodriguez Avenue, Novaliches, Taft Avenue, Monumento Circle, Navotas, Pasig, Cainta, Baclaran, Alabang, Sucat, Molino and Golden Acres in Las Piñas.
PISTON also identified protest centers at Philcoa near the University of the Philippines Diliman, Litex and Marikina.
Regional protest activities were planned at Jaro Plaza in Iloilo and the Campo Sioco terminal in Baguio.
