A leader of a transport group that staged a protest in Bacolod City on Thursday, March 19, said they agree with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s order to suspend a planned fare hike because it would be insufficient to address the crippling effects of rising fuel costs.
Rodulfo Gardoce Jr., chairperson of the United Negros Drivers and Operators Center-Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (UNDOC-PISTON), said the measly fare hike of P1 to P2 would not provide a long-term solution.
They are instead calling on the president to immediately suspend the excise tax and Value Added Tax (VAT) on fuel to bring down pump prices, he said.
UNDOC-PISTON staged a protest in front of the northbound terminal in Barangay Bata, Bacolod City, Thursday morning.
The Philippine National Police provided free rides for stranded passengers.
Gardoce said the promised subsidy for public transportation drivers should cover those who have not consolidated under the jeepney modernization program, who number about 1,000 in Bacolod City.
The local government should help the drivers, he said.
Gardoce also called on Bacolod Mayor Greg Gastaya to convey their call to suspend excise tax and VAT to the president.
Eric Bendoy, secretary-general of Undoc-Piston, said LGUs should themselves endorse to the national government the exact list of drivers who should benefit from the P5,000 fuel subsidy under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS).
Due to the increase in fuel prices, the previous P800 to P900 daily earnings of drivers is now down to P200 to P300, Bendoy said.
The Police Regional Office – Negros Island Region (PRO NIR) said the protest was peaceful, with no significant crime incidents recorded across the region.*