Jeepney group to halt operations over fuel prices
MANILA, Philippines — A transport group announced a nationwide transport holiday on Monday as fuel prices are expected to rise again this week.
The Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization (ACTO) said its members will not operate for a day, citing mounting losses among jeepney drivers and operators.
"Talagang hindi namin kakayanin na. Kaya kami sa Lunes, magta-transport holiday kami nationwide," ACTO national president Libay de Luna said in an interview with dzBB on Sunday, March 22.
(We really will not be able to handle it anymore. That is why this Monday, we will hold a nationwide transport holiday.)
"Hindi kami lalabas. Wala namang manggugulo. Para maiparamdam sa ating Presidente Marcos na kami talaga ay hirap na hirap na," she added.
(We will not go out. No one will cause trouble. This is to make President Marcos feel that we are truly struggling.)
Reduced earnings
De Luna said many jeepney drivers are earning as little as P150 a day due to high diesel prices.
She urged the government to provide assistance through service contracting and called on banks to grant a moratorium for transport cooperatives struggling to pay for modern jeepney units.
Another transport group, the Western Visayas Alliance of Transport Cooperatives and Corporations Inc., is also set to hold a transport holiday in Iloilo City, according to a GMA News report.
PISTON earlier staged a transport strike on March 19 and 20 to protest rising fuel costs.
Expected price hikes
The Department of Energy said fuel prices may increase by P16.50 to P17.50 per liter for diesel and P7.50 to P8.50 per liter for gasoline.
Kerosene prices are also expected to rise by P6.90 to P8.90 per liter.
Some fuel products have already reached around P100 per liter at certain stations.
Last week, gasoline prices rose by P12.90 to P16.60 per liter, while diesel prices increased by P20.40 to P23.90 per liter.
- Latest
- Trending
