President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured that the government is rolling out cash assistance and subsidy programs to ease their burden. “We understand the cry of our fellow Filipinos who are protesting… but I want to reiterate to you, you will not be left behind; you will not be abandoned by the government,” he said. The President earlier ordered the suspension of approved fare hikes, saying it is not the right time to increase public utility vehicle (PUV) fares amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. The directive came a day after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) approved fare increases ranging from P1 to P40 for most PUVs, excluding regular taxis and motorcycle taxis. On the ground, some jeepney drivers have begun halting operations as soaring fuel costs cut into their earnings. One driver, Benny Medina, said he earned only P56 after a full day of trips—an amount insufficient even to buy a kilo of rice. To provide relief, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is set to begin distributing cash assistance next week to over 214,000 beneficiaries, including jeepney drivers, delivery riders, motorcycle taxi operators, and Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) drivers. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on Filipinos to uphold the spirit of bayanihan as the government implements measures to cushion the impact of rising fuel prices driven by tensions in the Middle East. In his vlog, Marcos emphasized the importance of unity and collective action during challenging times. “Now is the time for us to show the world the bayanihan characteristic that is in the heart of every Filipino,” the President said. He also urged the public to act responsibly in sharing information, warning against the spread of misinformation. “Helping a fellow human being, or even in the sharing of correct information and not spreading fake news, let us not add to the problem,” he added. Marcos acknowledged the struggles faced by various sectors, particularly transport workers, as fuel prices continue to rise.
