Groups back 2-day transport strike: This is everyone's fight
Various sectoral groups, including labor, vendors, women, and environment advocates, are joining a nationwide two-day transport strike on March 26-27. The strike, led by jeepney, bus, and UV Express drivers, aims to pressure the government to address the soaring fuel costs that severely impact their livelihoods, underscoring it as a collective struggle for all.
A nationwide two-day transport strike is scheduled for March 26-27, 2026, organized by the No To Oil Price Hike Coalition in response to escalating fuel prices in the Philippines. The strike brings together major transport groups including PISTON (Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide), MANIBELA, and other organizations representing jeepney operators, bus drivers, UV Express drivers, motorcycle taxi riders, and transport network vehicle services (TNVS) operators. Around 500,000 public transport, TNVS, and motorcycle taxi drivers are expected to participate in the action, which follows previous strikes on March 19-20, 2026.
The coalition's key demands include suspension of fuel excise taxes, scrapping of the oil deregulation law, and lifting the suspension of fare hikes. They are also questioning the adequacy of the 21 billion pesos released by the Department of Budget and Management, noting that only 2 billion pesos was allocated for transport. The strike has gained support from broader coalitions including labor groups, PARA Commuters' Network, National Union of Students of the Philippines, and various sectoral groups representing vendors, women, and environmental advocates.
PISTON national president Mody Floranda announced the strike at a press conference on March 23, emphasizing that this action is anticipated to attract larger crowds than previous protests. MANIBELA chairman Mar Valbuena expressed the desperation of drivers, stating that they can no longer endure the situation of significant losses due to fuel price increases. The protest will culminate in a march from Welcome Rotonda in Quezon City to Mendiola in Manila on March 27, with some drivers beginning to stop operations as early as Wednesday ahead of the official strike dates.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has reportedly requested a reduction in fuel excise taxes, with local oil prices expected to reach new record-highs due to Middle East tensions, including Iran threats and Strait of Hormuz issues. However, transport groups view current government measures as insufficient to address the crisis. The organizers emphasize that this is a collective struggle affecting not only drivers and operators but also commuters, vendors, and the general public, with the strike highlighting overlooked struggles despite inconveniencing commuters.
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