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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Hontiveros: Gov't must act fast amid transport sector protests, soaring fuel prices

Hontiveros: Gov't must act fast amid transport sector protests, soaring fuel prices

Published Mar 23, 2026 03:38 pm

At A Glance

  • Senator Risa Hontiveros urged the government to urgently respond to the mounting challenges faced by the public transport drivers and commuters as fuel prices continue to climb.
Senator Risa Hontiveros urged the government on Monday, March 23, to urgently respond to the mounting challenges faced by the public transport drivers and commuters as fuel prices continue to climb.
Traditional jeepneys continue to operate along EDSA in Pasay City on Thursday, March 19, even as a nationwide transport strike led by PISTON (Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide) (John Louie Abrina)
Traditional jeepneys continue to operate along EDSA in Pasay City on Thursday, March 19, even as a nationwide transport strike led by PISTON (Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide) (John Louie Abrina)
“Yung isang unit ng modern jeepney ngayon, lugi na ng P1,000 kada araw ng biyahe (Drivers are losing as much as P1,000 per day on modern jeepneys)," Hontiveros said, noting that there are fewer units on the road as commuters opt for public transportation as a means to save.
“We badly need concrete transport solutions - way beyond the suspension of excise taxes. Magandang simula ang P5,000 transport subsidy, pero kulang iyan at dapat palawakin (The P5,000 transport subsidy is a good start, but it is insufficient and must be expanded),” she added.
Hontiveros filed Senate Bill No. 1986, which proposes a P52.8-billion transport subsidy package, including a P12-billion fund specifically for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers, delivery riders, and transport network vehicle service (TNVS) operators.
The senator also emphasized the need to support transport cooperatives, which bear diesel costs and loan payments for new jeepneys. Through an expanded service contracting program, cooperatives can operate efficiently, allowing drivers to remain on their routes rather than pausing operations to await government assistance.
Hontiveros further called for faster distribution of subsidies and the removal of bureaucratic hurdles, such as the “first owner” registration rule, which currently prevents second- and third-hand jeepney owners from easily receiving aid.
“Ang mahalaga, agarang kumilos ang Malakanyang at ang buong gobyerno (The important thing is for Malacañang and the entire government to act immediately),” Hontiveros stressed.
“Huwag na natin hintayin na maparalisa ang buong transport sector at tumaas lalo ang presyo ng bilihin. Pagsikapan natin ang mga solusyon na hinihintay ng taumbayan (We cannot wait until the transport sector grinds to a halt and prices of basic goods rise further. It is time to deliver the solutions that our people have been waiting for),” she added.

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