TRANSPORT group PISTON and progressive alliance Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) announced on Monday a nationwide protest and transport strike starting March 19, calling on the government to address the surge in fuel prices.
At a press conference at Welcome Rotonda, the groups said drivers, operators, and commuters would stage coordinated protests not only in Metro Manila but across the country.
Key demands include the removal of the value-added tax (VAT) and excise taxes on fuel, the repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law, and a rollback of fuel prices to P55 per liter, a level they consider more reasonable than current rates.
PISTON also plans to file a petition for a P5 fare increase.
“Across the country, PISTON represents nearly 100,000 drivers. March 19 is just the beginning of the strike, which will continue until the administration heeds our call. There will be a series of other protests,” said PISTON President Mody Floranda.
Floranda added that drivers and operators nationwide, including members of modernized transport cooperatives, were expected to join the protest.
“The groups participating include bus operators, drivers, conductors, cooperatives, and corporations,” he said, noting that rising fuel prices have severely affected the livelihoods of public transport workers.
Diesel prices could rise to as high as P120 per liter, further straining drivers’ finances.
“If we consume 30 liters a day, our direct losses could reach P3,600 daily, going straight to oil companies,” Floranda said. “Even a P5,000 subsidy would barely cover two days of fuel.”
BAYAN emphasized that the mobilization would extend beyond a transport strike.
“On March 19, it will not just be a halt in public transport. There will also be noise barrages in communities, walkouts in schools and factories, and street protests to ensure the government takes notice,” said BAYAN Secretary-General Mong Palatino.