Philippine Transport Workers Demand Government Action Amid Record Oil Price Surge
Transport groups across the Philippines are demanding immediate accountability from the government as the nation experiences the highest increase in petrol prices globally since the escalation of the US-Israel war on Iran. Manila's transport workers are struggling to make ends meet as the Philippines feels the full force of the international oil crisis, with widespread protests highlighting public anger.
Drivers Face Dire Economic Realities
Jayson Naga, a tricycle taxi driver navigating Manila's streets, typically brings home 500 Philippine pesos (approximately US$8) daily to support his four children. However, the 60% surge in fuel prices has devastated his earnings, wiping out nearly one-third of his take-home pay. "If gas prices go up any further, there will be nothing left for us," Naga revealed. His family has already sacrificed their weekend luxury of visiting air-conditioned malls to escape the heat.
Hogan Ruben, another tricycle driver, now spends an additional five hours on the road daily to compensate for rising costs. "What we do now is we head out early and stay out until twelve midnight or one in the morning, just so the income we bring home is enough," Ruben explained. "We have no choice but to keep grinding."
Government Response and Public Outcry
The Philippines imports nearly all its crude oil from the Middle East, making it uniquely vulnerable to geopolitical tensions. The government declared a national energy emergency in response to the crisis triggered by Middle East conflicts, becoming the first nation worldwide to take such action. Public frustration over soaring fuel prices and supply chain issues has spilled into the streets, with transport workers bearing the immediate brunt of the oil crunch.
President Ferdinand Marcos acknowledged challenges in securing supplies but announced on March 27 that the government had secured sufficient crude oil for domestic processing until June 30. This assurance comes as officials scramble for alternative sources, including recent shipments from Russia.
Nationwide Protests and Human Rights Concerns
Transport groups organized two-day nationwide strikes last week, demanding oil price rollbacks through the elimination of fuel excise taxes and the oil deregulation law. Mody Floranda, president of transport group Piston, criticized Marcos as "inutile," stating, "Hardship persists not only for transport but for the entire public. How can workers survive on low wages while fuel prices keep climbing?"
Edgardo Cabalitan, an NGO worker who joined protests at the country's largest gas station, emphasized the human rights dimension. "The oil crisis is not just an issue of rising costs. It is an issue that directly strikes at human rights. As oil prices rise, the cost of goods follows, affecting not only the livelihoods of drivers but also our very access to basic needs," Cabalitan declared.
Economic Experts Warn of Worsening Conditions
Jan Carlo Punongbayan, an assistant professor at the University of the Philippines School of Economics, warned that the crisis will intensify, with global crude oil prices potentially reaching $200 per barrel. "It's going to be quite bad, especially the indirect effects of inflation. The government is looking at double-digit inflation rates by May. We haven't seen that level of inflation for many, many years, not even during the pandemic," Punongbayan cautioned.
Food Prices and Social Consequences
Food prices represent the next major concern. Punongbayan noted that the current harvest season has temporarily mitigated impacts, but he anticipates rapid increases in food costs in coming weeks as harvests end and transport expenses rise. While mall crowds have diminished, grocery stores are packed with shoppers stocking up on basic necessities, reminiscent of pandemic-era panic buying.
The desperate situation has led to concerning incidents, including a gas station attendant in Quezon City being forced to cover a nearly $100 bill when an SUV driver sped away without paying. Local police have promised to review CCTV footage to identify the perpetrator.
Community Support Emerges
Amid the crisis, community support has resurfaced. On Maginhawa Street in Quezon City, donations of food packs began arriving last week at corners where drivers like Naga and Ruben wait for passengers. Drivers received packages containing rice, eggs, noodles, canned goods, and sandwiches.
Community pantries have returned, reviving a community-led project initiated during the pandemic that now offers a lifeline to transport workers. More than a dozen similar pantries have appeared nationwide. "When we saw that the community pantry was back, it gave us drivers a sense of hope again," Naga shared.
