PISTON holds transport strike, calls for lower fuel prices, higher fare hike

Transport group PISTON on Tuesday started its two-day transport strike as they called for lower prices of fuel products and higher fare increase.

On Aurora Boulevard in Cubao, Quezon City, PISTON members gathered early for their protest action, according to a report by Ivan Mayrina on Unang Balita.

Among PISTON's demands are to bring the price of diesel back to P55 per liter, remove the excise tax and value-added tax (VAT) on petroleum products, and repeal the Oil Deregulation Law.

The PISTON members urged other jeepney drivers to join them in their protest action. Some joined them while others continued plying their routes.

As of 6:06 a.m. however, fewer jeepneys were seen on Aurora Boulevard.

One PISTON member, Celso Nabora, said the P1 fare hike that took effect on Monday was not enough when compared to the rise in the prices of fuel products over the past months — despite the rollback in fuel prices on Tuesday.

"Sobrang pagtataas ng mga produktong petrolyo. Ang saya-saya po ng pagtataas eh. Ang laking insulto sa aming mga driver (ng fare hike). Ano naman magagawa ng piso?" he said.

(The price hikes on fuel products are too high. They were way too high. The fare hike was a big insult to us drivers. What will one peso increase do?)

Nabora said they are not asking for a very high fare increase, but only for the right amount.

"Hindi kami humihiling ng dagdag pasahe na napakataas. Ilagay sa tama na lebel," he said.

(We are not asking for a hefty fare hike. But they should put it at the right level.)

"Ang kailangan natin hindi pagtataas sana eh. Ibaba nila ang presyo ng produktong petrolyo," Nabora added.

(What we need is for prices of fuel products to be lowered, not for fares to be increased.)

Nabora also apologized to commuters who may experience difficulty finding rides because of the strike, asking for their understanding as drivers push for their demands.

Police were deployed in the area to monitor the protest and help maintain traffic flow. No tension or major disturbance was reported so far.

P10 fare hike

Members of PISTON also conducted a protest action in Pasig City, according to Super Radyo dzBB reporter Mark Makalalad.

PISTON, NAGKILOS-PROTESTA SA PASIG CITY

Kilos-protesta ng grupong PISTON sa Pasig City, umarangkda na.

Panawagan nila ang tuluyang pagpapababa ng presyo ng produktong petrolyo, pag-alis sa VAT at excise tax sa langis, at pagbasura sa Oil Deregulation Law. | via @MMakalalad pic.twitter.com/AOAZiGyRzZ

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) September 28, 2026

Carrying placards and banners, members of the group said the recent rollback in fuel prices was not enough to offset months of increases.

PISTON said that an ordinary diesel-powered jeepney operator spends around P3,000 daily on fuel, while operators of modern public utility vehicles spend P6,000 a day.

Due to this, the group renewed its call for a P10 fare increase.

"Sa amin po sa bahagi ng PISTON, bale po ang hinihiling namin na dagdag pamasahe ay P10. Sa kadahilanan po na ganito ang nagiging gastos namin, ganito ang nawawalang kita namin buhat pa noong February," PISTON's Ely Villena said.

(For us in PISTON, we are asking for a P10 fare increase. Because our expenses are increasing. We have been losing revenue since February.)

₱10 NA JEEPNEY FARE HIKE, HILING NG PISTON-NCR

₱10 jeepney fare hike ang hinihiling ng Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) sa National Capital Region (NCR).

Ayon kay Ely Villena, pangulo ng grupo, hindi na umano kumikita ang mga tsuper sa… pic.twitter.com/YiQK6j37N5

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) September 28, 2026

"Hindi na po kumikita ang aming mga tsuper. Kaya po ang kahilingan namin, sabi nga natin, balewala ang pisong binigay nila," he added.

(Our drivers are no longer earning. That's why we are asking, let's just say the P1 increase they gave is worthless.)

PISTON also questioned the pricing practices of oil companies, alleging that pump prices rise quickly despite the availability of existing fuel inventories.

According to the group, some fuel stations temporarily reduce supply before announced price hikes to sell fuel later at higher prices.

Not enough for candy

PISTON also called out the delayed implementation of P1 fare increase.

"Naobliga ang LTFRB na sa loob ng anim na buwan ay aprubahan itong usapin ng piso," PISTON national president Mody Floranda said.

(The LTFRB was forced in six months to approve the P1 increase.)

“...SABI NGA NATIN, HINDI ITO MAKABILI NG CANDY.” — PISTON

Tila hindi kontento ang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) sa ₱1 jeepney fare hike.

Ayon kay Modesto “Mody” Floranda, PISTON national president, hindi ito makabibili ng candy. | via @allangatus pic.twitter.com/3RJVc5GtUE

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) September 28, 2026

"Bagama't sabi nga natin hindi ito makabili ng candy, lalo na sa kalagayan natin sa ngayon na talagang ang laki-laki ng tinaas sa presyo ng petrolyo na mula noong February hanggang sa kasalukuyan ay halos P50 'yung ipinatong sa bawat litro ng diesel," he added.

(Although we say the increase can't buy a candy, especially in our current situation when the price of fuel has increased significantly, from February until now, almost P50 has been added to each liter of diesel.)

PISTON is set to hold a larger mobilization on Tuesday, including a motorcade and a mass gathering at Welcome Rotonda before proceeding to Mendiola in Manila.

The transport strike comes a day after another transport group, Manibela, staged its own protest over rising fuel prices and other concerns on Monday.

Manibela earlier said its transport strike will run for three days from Monday to Wednesday, but the group suspended its strike to hold talks with the Land Transportation Office on Tuesday.

Face-to-face classes in some schools and universities were suspended on Tuesday due to the transport strike. —with a report from Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News