MARCH 20, 2026 — PISTON’s transport strike has entered its second day, fueled by anger over relentless oil price hikes now reaching up to ₱120 per liter. Jeepney drivers argue that the suspended fare hike leaves them bleeding financially, while government insists traffic remains “normal.” The clash between commuters’ convenience and drivers’ survival is once again front and center in Metro Manila.

Transport group PISTON pressed on with its nationwide strike Friday, March 20, after declaring Day 1 a “success.” According to PISTON president Mody Floranda, around 10,000 drivers in Metro Manila and 70,000 nationwide joined the protest, demanding relief from skyrocketing fuel costs and calling for a ₱5 fare increase.

The group argues that the math no longer works: with diesel at ₱120 per liter, a jeepney consuming 30 liters daily spends ₱3,600 just on fuel. 

NCR PISTON president Ely Villena lamented, “100 pasahero namin, bale P100 lang ang karagdagan sa aming koleksyon. Ngayon binawi pa. Eh magkano na ang krudo ngayon?”

(From 100 passengers, that’s only ₱100 added to our collection. Now even that was taken away. And how much is diesel now?)

Government’s counterpoint

The MMDA insists traffic was “normal” on Thursday, with no stranded commuters, thanks to free rides offered by Quezon City and Parañaque. The PNP described the strike as “generally peaceful,” with officers deployed to manage traffic and assist commuters.

Meanwhile, the LTFRB confirmed that fare hikes remain suspended pending a green light from Malacañang. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has yet to act, leaving drivers caught between rising costs and frozen fares.

Now, this isn’t just about jeepney drivers. It’s about the cost of living crisis hitting the public. Every peso added to fuel prices trickles down to food, transport, and daily essentials. 

PISTON’s march to Mendiola today is more than symbolic - it’s a direct confrontation with a government accused of “inaction” amid Middle East tensions driving global oil spikes.

The irony in all these is that commuters cheer free rides while drivers count their losses. The government downplays disruption, yet the strike exposes a widening gap between official narratives and lived realities. 

If jeepney drivers — the backbone of urban transport — say they’re drowning, can we really afford to dismiss their cries as mere noise?

And when fuel prices choke the lifeblood of public transport, whose survival should matter more — commuters’ convenience or drivers’ dignity?

(Image: Philippine News Agency)