Manibela announces 2-day strike to protest big-time fuel price hikes

Inquirer photo/Grig C. Montegrande MANILA, Philippines — Transport group Manibela will hold another strike from July 22 to July 23 to protest the double-digit increase in diesel and kerosene that took effect on Tuesday because of renewed hostilities in the Middle East. Manibela chair Mar Valbuena made the announcement in a press briefing where he also criticized the Department of Energy (DOE) for allegedly siding with oil companies while failing to protect the transport sector. The DOE said on Monday that fuel companies would be implementing maximum increases per liter of 10.68 for diesel, P3.65 for gasoline and P11.77 for kerosene. Article continues after this advertisement “The transport sector cannot remain silent while the Department of Energy is seemingly ignoring the consecutive increases in oil prices that are sinking the livelihoods of jeepney drivers and ordinary Filipinos,” Valbuena said. READ: Diesel, kerosene post new double-digit price jumps “Instead of strictly monitoring and penalizing the oil companies, the Department of Energy has become content with the prices they dictate,” he added. Call for support Valbuena urged drivers and operators of other public utility vehicles (PUVs), including UV Express services, buses, transport network vehicle services (TNVS) and motorcycle taxis, among others, to join the transport strike. According to him, the mass action may be extended until Friday, July 24. Five transport groups and cooperatives have committed to join Manibela, Valbuena said, adding that some motorcycle taxis and TNVS have also expressed support for the protest. Article continues after this advertisement READ: Big fuel price hikes loom due to US-Iran war flare-up At the same time, Valbuena called out President Marcos, who is scheduled to deliver his fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday, for suspending the P1 jeepney fare hike that was supposed to take effect last March. Article continues after this advertisement Solutions needed “You’re about to deliver your Sona. What can you report about the solutions that addressed the problem of rising fuel costs, rising electricity prices [and] rising prices of basic goods? We do not hear anything aside from the distribution of cash aid,” he noted. “What we want is a long term and concrete solution that would ease the burden of the ordinary Filipinos,” he stressed as he urged Marcos to finally implement the fare increase. Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. “On the other hand, air and sea-based transport vehicles immediately raised [their prices] because they are not regulated,” Valbuena said. “Meanwhile, land-based transportation was ignored.” /cb