Thousands of jeepney drivers join nationwide transport strike

MANILA, Philippines – Thousands of jeepney drivers stage a nationwide transport strike on Thursday, March 19, led by transport group Piston, to demand lower fuel prices.

The group is also calling for an increase in the minimum jeepney fare from P13 to P18, and wants the government to scrap the excise tax and value-added tax on fuel to help ease rising costs.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board was supposed to impose a fare hike for nearly all modes of public transportation on Thursday. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., however, ordered the suspension of the fare hike a day earlier, on Wednesday, March 18.

Fuel prices continue to soar due to the conflict in the Middle East.

Piston is also pushing for a hike in the minimum wage to P1,200, citing the continued surge in commodity prices. Rappler’s Patrick Cruz reports. – Rappler.com