A sharp increase in fuel prices this week is beginning to strain transport operators and farmers in Pangasinan, with some drivers warning of shrinking income and several farmers struggling to secure fuel for their machinery.

Fuel prices rose sharply as oil companies implemented a staggered price adjustment. According to the Department of Energy (DOE), petroleum products increased by around P17 to P24 per liter.

Before the adjustment took effect, motorists rushed to gasoline stations in parts of northern Luzon, including Laoag City in Ilocos Norte, where long lines formed as drivers filled up their tanks.

Transport groups in Pangasinan are now studying possible measures to cope with the rising diesel prices. The One Pangasinan Transport Federation said it is considering implementing a double-coding scheme for traditional jeepneys in the province.

Under the proposal, some jeepneys would be taken off the road on certain days, potentially reducing the number of operating units by about 35 percent daily while helping drivers maintain income.

“Kapag double coding kasi ibig sabihin maraming jeep ang bumabiyahe, so kapag magtanggal tayo ng isang araw siyempre at least kikita ang jeepney driver, pati boundary hindi masyadong maapektuhan, maaring mag-adjust lang kasi kapag single coding ikot lang ng ikot okey lang sana kung dating presyo ng krudo pero iba na kasi ang usapan ngayon,” Bernard Tuliao, president of the transport federation, said.

For drivers already on the road, the rising fuel cost has significantly cut into their earnings.

“Masakit talaga kasi nagba-boundary kami P500 tapos ang diesel namin nasa 500 din, anlaki nang nabawas sa kita namin,” Ronald Camba, a jeepney driver, said.

The impact has also reached farmers in Mangaldan, Pangasinan, where some growers said they were unable to buy fuel for their farm equipment because certain fuel stations refused to sell diesel in containers.

Some farmers like Alice Pasalo said they had to travel to towns nearby to purchase fuel, while others are considering suspending planting next season.

“After ng season na ito hindi na kami magtatanim, para kaming pulubi na nagmamakaawa na bentahan ng diesel, kawawa naman kami,” she said.

Local fuel stations have yet to issue an official response regarding the reported difficulties in purchasing fuel for agricultural use.