Thousands of jeepney, bus, UV Express, TNVS, and motorcycle taxi drivers across the Philippines stopped operations on March 26–27 to protest the US war of aggression against Iran and the soaring oil prices. They responded to the call of the newly formed No to Oil Price Hike Coalition for a two-day national transport strike. Trips halted on major routes in Metro Manila and in the provinces of Bicol, Cebu, Batangas, Laguna, and others. The strike was the transport workers’ answer to the worsening crisis driven by the relentless and large oil price hikes.

The coalition is composed of more than 20 transport organizations along with groups of passengers, workers, and other sectors. These include PISTON, Manibela, United Transportation Coalition, Kariders, Bus Employees Association of the Philippines, Laban TNVS, and others.

In Metro Manila, protests were held in Quezon City, Caloocan City, Parañaque, Muntinlupa, and Pasig. Demonstrations also took place in Las Piñas, Valenzuela, Marikina, and Quezon City. Progressive groups staged “pots and pans” protests in Quezon City.

Leaders of PISTON and its allies emphasized that drivers can no longer bear the daily losses amounting to ₱1,500 to ₱1,600 per vehicle.

Participation was broad across regions. Actions took place in Bulacan, Laguna, Batangas, and Cavite. In the populous areas of Calabarzon, the strike’s impact was felt in nearby Batangas and Metro Manila.

In Cebu City, PISTON-Cebu stopped operations, paralyzing 60–70% of major routes on the morning of March 27. They set up chokepoints at Landbank on P. Del Rosario Street, Andoks in Mabolo, Cabancalan, and Petron stations before gathering for a program on Colon Street.

In Bicol, Condor PISTON Bicol participated fully throughout the two days. Drivers of jeepney routes covering Daraga–Legazpi, Tahao Road, Loop 1, Loop 2, and services going to Albay’s 3rd District joined the action.

Similar protests were held in Baguio, Bacolod, Iloilo, Leyte, General Santos, and Davao.

Nationwide, the strike carried the coalition’s main demands: the immediate rollback of oil prices to ₱55 per liter, the removal of VAT and excise taxes on gasoline and diesel, and the repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law. They also demanded fare increases for all public transport and increase pay to living wages. The coalition called for greater oil subsidies and the nationalization of the oil industry so it serves the people instead of the profits of giant corporations. They demanded an immediate end to the US war of aggression against Iran, which has driven up global oil prices that directly burden the poor.

PISTON president Mody Floranda said the two-day strike is a continuation of the protest held on March 19–20. He slammed the regime’s “flip-flopping” over the measly ₱1 fare hike announced last week. The planned suspension of the ₱6 excise tax on diesel and ₱10 on gasoline is also inadequate amid the unabated surge in prices. The subsidy granted remains token and one-time.

On the afternoon of March 27, groups of transport workers, passengers, laborers, students, and others again marched to Mendiola to hold the Marcos regime accountable for its inutility.