PUV drivers in QC consider returning to provinces amid fuel price hikes

Some public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers in Quezon City are considering to return to their provinces and find alternative sources of income as fuel prices continue to soar, a transport group said.

Pasang Masda national president Obet Martin said some drivers may opt to return to their provinces and engage in farming if fuel prices continue to make public transport operations unsustainable.

"Well, ang fallback position ng ating mga driver, talagang napakabigat nitong P10 na ito. Aabutin na tayo ng P100 per liter," Martin told Super Radyo dzBB in an interview.

(Well, the fallback position of our drivers, this P10 is really very heavy. We will reach P100 per liter.)

"At 'yun nga po, 'yung bang mga driver natin ay talagang uuwi na ng probinsya, doon na lang magtatanim ng mga gulayan, palayan upang makasama pa ang kanilang pamilya," he added.

(Our drivers will really go back to the provinces, there they will plant vegetables, rice fields so that they can be with their families.)

He said the group continues to appeal to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to allow a previously approved P1-fare increase for public utility jeepneys, which was suspended amid rising fuel prices.

Martin also called for the nationwide implementation of a P12-per-liter discount for PUVs. He said the discount is currently available only at selected fuel stations.

He also supported the calls for suspension of excise taxes on fuel products, saying this could provide savings of around P6 to P10 per liter.

Some drivers have already reduced the number of vehicles operating on their routes. Martin said some routes that normally deploy about 50 units are now operating only around 25 units.

UUWI NA LANG SA PROBINSYA

Ilang tsuper ng jeepney sa Quezon City, posibleng tumigil muna sa pamamasada at uuwi na lamang sa probinsya dahil sa nakaamba na naman na malakihang taas-presyo at petrolyo. | via @allangatus pic.twitter.com/3pv6IL2cqo

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) September 17, 2026

According to a report by Super Radyo dzBB's Allan Gatus, some drivers said their earnings have been severely reduced after fuel expenses, boundary payments, and other operating expenses.

One driver said that after spending nearly 15 hours on the road, only around P500 may be left for his family.

Martin also said Pasang Masda is preparing to shift toward electric vehicles.

The group has ordered 40 pure electric vehicles and an initial five units are expected to operate this September once the necessary special permit is secured.

Each unit costs around P4.5 million, according to Martin.

Grupong Pamalakaya (Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas), iginiit sa pamahalaan na alisin ang value-added tax (VAT) at excise tax sa langis sa gitna ng nakaamba na naman na malakihang taas-presyo sa mga produktong petrolyo. | via @SurfaceCarlo pic.twitter.com/Wift7dFFzj

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) September 18, 2026

Meanwhile, fisherfolk group Pamalakaya is also calling for the removal or suspension of VAT and excise taxes on fuel, according to Super Radyo dzBB's Carlo Mateo.

Pamalakaya called for more fuel assistance for fisherfolk. — VDV, GMA News