Malacañang said a planned nationwide transport strike this week is “not timely” as the government continues to roll out assistance to cushion the impact of rising fuel prices.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said the planned strike by transport group Manibela from April 15 to 17 would not help address the ongoing challenges brought by the Middle East crisis.

“Sa atin po ngayon… ang pagho-hold ng transport strike ay hindi napapanahon sa ngayon (At this time… holding a transport strike is not appropriate),” she said in her press briefing on Monday, April 13.

Castro stressed that what is needed now is cooperation between the government and stakeholders.

“Hindi po ito makakatulong… ang kinakailangan po lamang talaga dito ay negosasyon, pag-uusap, pagtutulungan (This will not help… what is needed is negotiation, dialogue, and cooperation),” she said.

She added that the government remains open to listening to concerns from the transport sector.

Castro likewise clarified that the President has no authority to suspend or reduce the value-added tax (VAT) on fuel, contrary to claims raised by transport groups.

“Wala pong kapangyarihan ang Pangulo na mag-suspend ng VAT… dahil wala pong batas na nagbibigay ng kapangyarihan (The President has no power to suspend VAT… because there is no law granting such authority),” she said.

She warned that misconceptions about this issue may be misleading drivers and operators.

However, the Palace Press Officer pushed back against claims of “slow action,” saying the administration has already prioritized assistance for the transport sector.

“Nakikita po natin mismo ano na po ang ginagawa… sila nga po iyong inuna (We can see what the government has done… they were prioritized),” she said.

“With or without any strike, transport strike, ang Pangulo naman po ay dumidinig sa mga hinaing ng bawat Pilipino, lalong-lalo na po sa transport sector (the President listens to the pleas of every Filipino, especially the transport sector),” she added.

Castro noted that fuel subsidies and cash assistance have already been rolled out to help drivers cope with rising oil prices.

The government has also implemented other measures, including transport discounts and targeted subsidies.

On calls for a fare hike, Castro said the matter may be discussed in upcoming meetings but gave no firm commitment.

“Hindi ko po mapapangunahan… magkakaroon ng UPLIFT meeting (I cannot preempt… there will be a UPLIFT meeting),” she said, referring to the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport Committee established under Executive Order No. 110 to manage the national energy emergency.

Castro said any government intervention must consider not only transport workers but all Filipinos.

“Lahat po ng tulong… dapat balanse, hindi lang sa transport sector kung hindi sa bawat Pilipino (All assistance must be balanced, not just for the transport sector but for all Filipinos),” she said.