Transport groups cancel strike after fuel discount subsidy increase

MANILA, Philippines — Six transport groups called off their plan to hold a transport strike on Monday, August 10 after the government granted a P2 increase on fuel discount subsidy.

Transport leaders declared their decision to cancel the transport strike in a meeting with the Department of Transportation on Thursday, August 6.

Pasang Masda, Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP) and Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (ALTODAP) said they will no longer join the strike originally scheduled on August 10 to 12.

Likewise, Boses at Samahan ng mga Jeepney Drivers and Operators Association (BUSINA), Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization (ACTO), and Stop and Go said that they will continue their operations instead.

Welcomed increase

The transport leaders also welcomed the government’s move to increase the fuel discount subsidy to P12 per liter from the previous P10 per liter to cushion the impact of rising domestic pump prices due to the conflict in West Asia.

The approved increase is lower than the P20 per liter discount subsidy proposed by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

The leaders of the transport groups who canceled their participation in the strike, however, said the approved increase was already helpful.

“Ngayon, ang gobyerno po, handa naman po tumulong po sa atin dito. Ito po 'yung nangyari ngayon, malaking tulong na po ito sa sektor ng transportasyon,” ALTODAP’s President Melencio Vargas said.

(Now, the government is ready to help us. That’s what’s happening now, this is a big help to the transport sector)

The fuel subsidy discount is the government’s aid to public utility vehicle drivers who can avail themselves of oil and gas products from some gas stations in the country for prices lower than normal.

According to the Department of Energy, as of July 30, there are 2,735 participating local gasoline stations in the fuel discount initiative.

Fare hike

The recent increase in the subsidy comes after the country experienced two consecutive weeks of pump price hikes again because of renewed exchange of attacks between the United States and Iran in mid-July, causing disruption to the global oil market.

The transport groups then demanded fare hikes, and announced on August 3, after the LTFRB heard their petitions, that they will stage a three-day transport strike to call the government’s attention to their demand.

Unlike other groups, Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers para sa Karapatan sa Paggawa (MANIBELA) Chairperson Mar Valbuena said in the same conference that he will consult with the members first before announcing whether they will cancel the strike or continue as planned.

MANIBELA maintained their position that only fare increase can help drivers cope with the rising costs of fuel.

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