Broad transport coalition set to hold 2-day strike

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MANILA, Philippines — Different transport groups will hold a transport strike this week in protest against what they deem as insufficient government response to the rising oil prices.

In a statement on Monday, March 23, the No To Oil Price Hike Coalition said drivers and operators will stop plying routes from March 26 to 27.

The coalition, which includes transport workers, motorists and consumer groups, said the action aims to pressure the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to address the impact of the oil price surge.

The group urged the government to adopt measures to ease the burden on commuters and operators, including removing the value-added tax and excise tax on fuel and repealing the oil deregulation law.

“Naniniwala ang No To Oil Price Hike Coalition na kayang makontrol ng estado ang pagtataas ng presyo ng krudo at mabigyan ng alwan ang mga apektado nito sa pamamagitan ng mga polisiyang pumapabor sa mamamayan, hindi sa mayayamang kompanya ng langis tulad ng Shell, Caltex, at Petron,” the group’s statement read. 

(The No To Oil Price Hike Coalition believes the state has the power to control fuel price increases and provide relief to those affected through policies that favor the citizens, rather than wealthy oil companies such as Shell, Caltex, and Petron.)

“Naniniwala din ang No To Oil Price Hike Coalition na ang walang tigil na panggegera ng US para sa langis ang siyang pangunahing dahilan ng walang tigil din na pagtaas ng presyo ng krudo, kaya’t dapat itong ipanawagang tumigil,” it added.

(The No To Oil Price Hike Coalition also believes that the relentless US wars for oil are the primary reason for the continuous rise in fuel prices, which is why there must be a call for these to stop.)

Aside from control on oil price hikes, the group also urged the government to remove the value added tax and the excise tax to fuel products. It also asked the government to repeal the oil deregulation law. 

RELATED: Economist urges wealth tax over 'unfortunate' fuel excise tax suspension

Transport groups join action

At a press conference on Monday, MANIBELA, a member of the coalition,  said it would would participate in the strike, citing mounting losses among drivers.

“Kaya po mahal na pangulo, hindi na namin kayang tiisin, sa pamamagitan ng transport strike baka mapakinggan mo kami,” MANIBELA chairman Mar Valbuena said.

(That is why, beloved president, we have reached our breaking point. We are holding this transport strike in the hope that you will finally hear our plea.)

“Ayaw namin sana, na ang mga negosyo ay mag-sara, ayaw namin ang mga mahal na mananakay ay magsakripisyo at maperwisyo. Pero, yung paghihirap ng bawat tsuper at operator hindi niyo tinitignan, hindi niyo pinapakinggan,” he added. 

(We don't want businesses to close, nor do we want the commuting public to suffer and be inconvenienced. However, you are ignoring and failing to listen to the hardships of every driver and operator.)

Valbuena said the planned action would involve drivers and operators of public utility jeepneys, UV Express, buses, trucks, motorcycle taxis and transportation network vehicle services.

The planned strike follows a one-day transport holiday on Monday led by the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization and the Western Visayas Alliance of Transport Cooperatives and Corporations Inc.

Transport group PISTON also staged a two-day strike from March 19 to 20.