President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said he has ordered the immediate suspension of planned fare hikes to shield commuters from rising costs, while promising transport workers expanded government support, during a video message on Wednesday, March 18.
The President said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has been directed to defer the implementation of the fare increases, emphasizing that now is not the right time to impose additional costs on workers, students, and daily commuters who rely on the transport system.
He assured transport operators and drivers that the government will expand support measures, including the rollout of free rides nationwide, to help mitigate the impact of rising fuel prices and global uncertainties.
Eric Bendoy, secretary-general of United Negros Drivers and Operators Center-Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Undoc-Piston), said they are staging a protest on Thursday to demand a clear-cut explanation from government on the assistance it will provide public transportation drivers amid soaring fuel prices.
The group will stage a one-hour protest in front of the Bacolod North Bound Terminal from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Thursday, where they will call for an end to the war in the Middle East, Bendoy said.
They are also calling for the suspension of the excise tax and Value Added Tax (VAT) on fuel to bring pump prices down.
Other transport groups in Bacolod said they were not staging protests on Thursday.
The Police Regional Office Negros Island Region (PRO NIR) on Wednesday assured the public that necessary measures are in place in light of the scheduled transport strike.
A total of 74 police vehicles are on standby in Bacolod to provide Libreng Sakay assistance to affected commuters, ensuring that the public can continue their daily activities with minimal disruption.
“We are fully prepared to assist our commuters during this transport strike. Our Libreng Sakay initiative, supported by 74 police vehicles, reflects our commitment to public service. We assure everyone that our personnel remain on full alert to ensure safety, security, and order throughout the region,” PBrig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, PRO NIR Regional Director, said.
Marcos, in suspending the announced fare hike, noted that the commuting public—mostly workers and students—cannot afford to suffer further, as they are already bearing the brunt of tensions in the Gulf region, which have driven up prices of fuel products and basic commodities.
He said PUV drivers need not worry since government interventions are already in place to help them cope with the present challenges caused by the Middle East conflict.
“Transport workers should not worry because [the government] will act quickly and increase support for you so that you will not have too much difficulty,” Marcos said.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Negros Island Region is waiting for the list of local government units where the distribution of financial assistance to PUV drivers will start, DSWD-NIR Director Arwin Razo said Wednesday .
The DSWD central office will identify the specific areas for the program’s rollout, he said.
The DSWD distribution of ₱5,000 financial aid to tricycle drivers began in Metro Manila this week.
The implementation of that subsidy will be done in coordination with the LGUs and the LTFRB, Razo said, noting that the franchises of tricycle drivers are issued by the local governments.*
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