Various progressive groups and transport drivers staged a protest along Marisol Terminal in Angeles City on March 20, calling for urgent government action amid continued increases in oil prices.
Dubbed “Welga na Laban sa Oil Price Hike!”, the mobilization gathered members of PISTON, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan – Gitnang Luzon (BAYAN-GL), Karapatan sa Gitnang Luzon (KGL), Anakbayan (AB) Pampanga, Youth Alliance of Pampanga Against Corruption (YAPAC), along with other sectors and jeepney drivers operating in the city.
Among their demands were rollback of oil prices to around P55.00 per liter, the removal of value-added tax (VAT) on petroleum products, a P5.00 increase in jeepney fares, stronger government support for the local oil industry, and the implementation of price control mechanisms, including a review of the Oil Deregulation Law.
Furthermore, the groups urged President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to implement concrete solutions to address the rising costs.
Transport groups said the current government assistance ranging from P5,000 to P6,000 is not sufficient to ease the financial burden on drivers.
“Kasalukuyang nagpapahirap sa mga mamamayang Pilipino ang pagsirit ng presyo ng produktong petrolyo ay sobrang napakataas na. Halos ‘di na kakayanin ng ating mga drivers at operators,” BAYAN-GL Chairperson Florentino “Pol” Viuya Sr. stated.
Viuya added that the conflict between the United States – Israel and Iran has caused a serious crisis for Filipinos by driving up global oil prices, noting that the country is heavily dependent on imported fuel.
“Nandiyan ang mga tsuper, patuloy na gumagastos ng napakataas na halaga para lamang makapamasada, samantalang ang kapalit naman nito ay barya-baryang sahod lamang… Patuloy pa itong nakaaapekto sa kanila sa pamamagitan ng mataas na mga bilihin, bunga ng pagtaas ng presyo ng langis,” Clifford Piñera, youth representative, stated.
Piñera also condemned what he called “insufficient measures” by the current administration, including the temporary suspension of fare hikes, describing these as “band-aid solutions” that fail to address the broader crisis.
“Kamakailan lamang ay sinuspende ni Marcos Jr. ang pagtaas ng pasahe sa mga jeepney at sa mga pasadahan. At anong kinakailangan niya sa atin? Anong ine-expect niya sa atin, isang ’congratulations’? Kung sa tingin natin ay masasapat ang taong bayan sa mga ganyang solusyon, wala tayong patutunguhan,“ Piñera emphasized.
Midway through the program, personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP) intervened and issued a warning to protesters, citing the lack of a permit and the use of a private space. Authorities allowed the rally to continue for a limited time.
“Walang pinakitang permit, pero binigyan naman natin ng sapat na oras para maipahiwatig ang kanilang saloobin. So far, peaceful naman, ayun naman ‘yung mahalaga. Nakipag-coordinate naman sila sa amin,” said Station 6 Commander Police Major Leonel Lozada.
The protest concluded with organizers reiterating their call for immediate government action to mitigate the impact of rising oil prices on vulnerable sectors.
