Malacañang assures transport sector's welfare amid fuel price hikes

Malacañang on Friday appealed to the public transport sector, especially drivers, to place their trust in government measures as calls persist for President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. to act on rising fuel prices.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro encouraged public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators to have confidence in government’s response, which she said aims to strike a balance between providing support to the transport sector and protecting commuters amid the surge in petroleum costs.

“Sa panahon ngayon, ang kailangan natin ay pagkakaisa at pagtutulungan. Alam po ni Pangulong Marcos, Jr. ang hinaing nating lahat dahil sa dulot ng sigalot sa Middle East," she said.

"Hindi natin ginusto ito. Hindi ito kasalanan ng Pangulo at ng gobyerno,” Castro told Palace reporters.

Despite the continued increase in fuel prices, Castro said the government has already extended assistance to transport workers and reiterated the call for trust in its policies.

“Alam rin po nating lahat na inuna ni Pangulo ang pag- ayuda sa transportation sector. Inuna silang bigyan ng financial assistance at fuel subsidy.

"Ang hiling lang natin ay pang-unawa at pagtitiwala sa mga desisyon ng gobyerno na binabalanse ang pagtulong sa mga mananakay at sa mga transportation sector. Sana magtulungan tayong lahat sa gitna ng krisis sa Middle East” she said.

Earlier, Marcos directed the Department of Transportation to temporarily halt the implementation of fare increases for PUVs, while assuring additional assistance for affected drivers.

The government has also started distributing subsidies to PUV drivers, beginning with tricycle operators in Metro Manila.

However, transport groups proceeded with a nationwide strike in response to the continuous increase in pump prices.

The transport group Piston threatened to stage more protests if their demands are not met, including the removal of the excise tax on fuel.

Meanwhile, both chambers of Congress—the Senate and the House of Representatives —have approved on third and final reading a measure granting the President emergency powers to suspend or reduce excise taxes on oil products.