Amid the continuous oil price hikes that leave jeepney drivers almost without income, Malacañang on Monday, June 6, pleaded with the drivers not to push with their planned operations stoppage expected this week.
Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said in a statement the government is doing everything it can to help the drivers as well as their operators to overcome the impact brought by the unabated oil price increase.
Andanar said one of the efforts that the government continues to do is giving fuel subsidies to affected drivers.
"Nanawagan kami sa mga tsuper at mga operator ng mga jeep na huwag ituloy ang kanilang planong tigil pasada ngayon linggo (We call on all jeepney drivers and operators not to continue with their plan to suspend their operations this week)," he said.
"Nasa mahigit 180,000 public utility vehicle operators ang nabigyan na ng fuel subsidy, as of June 1, 2022, ayon sa (Around 180,000 public utility vehicle operators have been given fuel subsidy, as of June 1, 2022, based on) Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board," he added.
On Sunday, various transport groups complained about the continuous oil price hikes that supposedly leave their members without income as they are not allowed to raise fares.
Most of the members of Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston) expressed interest in participating in operations stoppage to avoid further losses, the group said in a recent radio interview.