MANILA, Philippines — Transport group Manibela is set to launch another large-scale transport strike beginning Tuesday, April 21, as frustration grows over the continuing effects of the energy crisis on drivers and operators. The planned protest is expected to highlight the rising costs of fuel and the broader economic strain being felt across the transport sector.

According to Mar Valbuena, the action aims to condemn what the group describes as excessive taxation and exploitation of the public. Among their key demands is the removal of value-added tax (VAT) and excise tax on diesel and gasoline—measures they believe would immediately ease the burden on both transport workers and ordinary commuters.

The strike comes at a time when many jeepney, bus, and transport operators are struggling to keep daily operations sustainable. Fuel remains one of the largest expenses in public transportation. When oil prices rise sharply, drivers often face a painful choice: continue working with shrinking earnings or reduce trips and income altogether.

Supporters of the strike may argue that collective protest is necessary when urgent economic concerns go unanswered. Historically, transport strikes have been one of the few ways drivers gain national attention for issues affecting their livelihood. Critics, however, may point out that commuters—especially workers and students—often suffer first through long queues, delayed travel, and lost wages.

This recurring cycle reveals a deeper structural problem: when transport workers are in crisis, the commuting public eventually feels it too. The welfare of drivers and the convenience of passengers are more connected than they appear.

The larger question is whether tax relief alone is enough. Long-term solutions may also require fuel subsidies, modernized public transport systems, fair fare adjustments, and stronger energy planning.

When drivers must stop working just to be heard, is the strike the problem—or the silence that came before it?

(Larawan mula: Manila Standard)