Marcos: Drivers to get more aid after fare hikes suspended

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., on Thursday said that the government would increase its assistance for public utility vehicle drivers after he ordered the suspension of the one-peso fare hike amid the massive fuel price hikes.

According to James Agustin’s report on “24 Oras,” Marcos said the government was trying to find ways to provide subsidies.

“The problem is, masyadong malikot ang presyo ng langis; hindi natin ma-anticipate, so we are still adjusting right now. But I think so far kahit papaano, we will be able to soften the blow, ika nga,” Marcos said.

(We are still adjusting right now because the price of oil is quite fluid, and it is difficult to anticipate the changes. But I think, so far, we can somehow soften the blow.)

Marcos on Wednesday ordered the Department of Transportation to suspend the implementation of the increase in fares amid the fuel price hikes in the wake of the conflict in the Middle East.

The day before, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) approved fare hikes of P1 to as much as P40 in all public utility vehicles, except regular taxis and motorcycle taxis.

The fare increases were supposed to be effective on Thursday, March 19, 2026.

“Ang talagang habol namin dito is to keep ‘yung hanapbuhay ng tao, na mayroon silang pang-hanapbuhay,” Marcos said.

“Halimbawa, ‘yung mga transport workers, kahit na hindi itataas ang fare sa ngayon, deferred lang muna ‘yung fare hike, ay dadagdagan naman natin ang tulong sa kanila para hindi naman sila malugi,” he added.

(What we want to do here is to keep people’s jobs. While the fare  hike is deferred, we’re going to add to their assistance so that they would not lose.) –NB, GMA Integrated News