Jeepney strike: PISTON, Manibela demand P23 fare, fuel price relief
By Trixee Rosel
Members of transport group PISTON join a nationwide strike on April 21, 2026, calling for higher jeepney fares and fuel price relief. (Photo: PISTON)
Transport groups Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) and Manibela staged a nationwide strike on Tuesday, April 21, calling for higher jeepney fares and fuel price relief amid financial strain on drivers and operators.
Coordinated protest actions were held in several areas across the country, including a gathering at Philcoa in Quezon City.
On Monday, PISTON filed a petition with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), seeking to raise the minimum jeepney fare from ₱13 to ₱23.
The group said drivers continue to incur losses as diesel prices remain significantly higher than levels when fares were last adjusted in 2023.
This persisted despite recent fuel price rollbacks.
MANIBELA is calling for a reduction in diesel prices to around ₱55 per liter, saying current conditions remain unsustainable for public utility vehicle operations.
Oil firms earlier implemented price cuts of about ₱0.25 per liter for diesel, ₱3.41 for gasoline, and ₱2.00 for kerosene.
Transport groups said these remain insufficient to offset rising costs.
The groups also cited global developments, including tensions in the Middle East, as contributing to continued uncertainty in fuel prices and transport operations.