Commuters stranded in Metro Manila amid transport workers' aid payout

Commuters were reported stranded in parts of Metro Manila on Wednesday morning amid limited public utility vehicle (PUV) operations, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

In an update, the MMDA said its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) received reports of stranded passengers along Sucat Road in Parañaque City.

Authorities have already coordinated with concerned teams on the ground to verify the cause of the situation.

Initial information from the Parañaque City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) indicated that only a limited number of jeepneys were operating in the area.

This development comes as fuel prices continue to rise and the government rolls out cash aid for transport workers.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Giovanni Lopez also said he received information about stranded passengers in parts of Metro Manila.

He ordered the deployment of government vehicles to assist passengers stuck waiting along major routes.

Super Radyo dzBB's Luisito Santos reported that commuters were stranded in Philcoa area in Quezon City.

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Maraming pasahero, stranded sa bahagi ng PHILCOA sa Quezon City dahil sa kakaunti ang mga pumapasadang jeepney. | via @luisitosantos03 pic.twitter.com/xnXPDUi8oM

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) March 25, 2026

“Nakarating na rin po kanina sa akin 'yan. Magpapa-deploy na po tayo ng mga sasakyan po natin. So already texted 'yung road sector natin magpa-deploy ng bus dyan sa [Quezon Memorial Circle],” Lopez told Super Radyo dzBB in an interview.

(That also reached my office earlier. We will deploy our vehicles. So we already texted the road sector to deploy a bus there at Quezon Memorial Circle.)

Lopez linked the incident to the ongoing cash assistance distribution to transport workers affected by rising fuel prices.

“I think nataon po kasi ngayon 'yung pagbibigay ng ayuda sa mga jeepney drivers po natin galing sa DSWD. Usually we do it by scheduling sapagkat alam namin na kapag 'yan one time na ibibigay, talagang walang bibiyahe kasi lahat nandyan 'yung ating mga beneficiary,” he said.

(I think it coincides with the aid distribution to our jeepney drivers from the DSWD. Usually we do it by scheduling because we know that if it's given one time, no one will ply the road because all our beneficiaries are there.)

“Humihingi po kami ng pasensya (We apologize) on behalf of DSWD,” he added.

Authorities are coordinating with other agencies to manage the situation and prepare for further disruptions, including a planned transport strike on Thursday and Friday.

The DOTr is expanding its service contracting program for free rides to help affected commuters and transport workers.—AOL, GMA Integrated News