Marcos to Pinoys: Embrace ‘bayanihan’ amid rising oil prices

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday urged Filipinos to embrace “bayanihan” as the government provides measures to ease the burden of rising fuel prices amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.

“Ngayon ang panahon para maipakita natin sa buong mundo ang katangian ng bayanihan na nasa puso ng bawat Pilipino,” Marcos said in his vlog.

(This is the time to show the world the spirit of bayanihan that lives in the heart of every Filipino.)

Bayanihan is a Filipino cultural tradition representing communal unity, voluntary cooperation, and community spirit, where people help neighbors without expecting anything in return.

He also called on Filipinos to be responsible when sharing information and avoid spreading fake news.

“Pagtulong sa kapwa, o kahit sa pamamahagi ng tamang impormasyon at hindi pagkakalat ng fake news, huwag naman sana tayong magdagdag pa sa problema,” the President said

(Helping others, or even just sharing accurate information and not spreading fake news, we should avoid adding to the problem.)

Marcos also acknowledged the plight of the public, especially the transport sector, and said cash assistance and subsidy programs are being implemented.

“Naiintindihan natin ang sigaw ng mga nagpoprotesta na kababayan natin… pero gusto kong ulitin sa inyo, hindi kayo maiiwanan; hindi kayo pababayaan ng pamahalaan,” the President said.

(We understand the call of those who are protesting but I want to reiterate to you, you will not be left behind; the government will not abandon you.)

Earlier this week, Marcos ordered the suspension of the implementation of the fare hike despite increases in fuel prices.

He said this is not the time to increase the fare of public utility transport vehicles as the tension in the Middle East continues.

Marcos made the announcement a day after 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.

Even without a transport strike, some jeepney drivers, like Benny Medina, have stopped plying their routes amid the massive fuel price hikes because it's no longer profitable.

Medina said his trips from morning until night on Wednesday only earned him P56, which is not even enough to buy rice that costs P60 per kilo.

Next week, the Department of Social Welfare and Development will start distributing cash assistance to jeepney drivers, delivery service drivers, motorcycle taxi riders, and Transportation Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) drivers, which amounts to a total of 214,635 targeted beneficiaries. —RF, GMA Integrated News