Several public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers in Davao City are considering stopping their operations temporarily following another sharp increase in prices of petroleum products.

With fuel prices now exceeding P100 per liter, several drivers said they are struggling to keep up with rising costs while others think of giving up driving due to heavy losses.

“Kung di na gyud makaya nangarkila rako ani naa may operator driver raman ko ang renta adlaw-adlaw 800 ang krudo sigeg taas, sigeg taas wala nay amoa unya pamilyado mi. Balik na lang guro mig trabaho’g bukid,” jeepney driver, Teofilo Ybanez, said.

A taxi driver, Orlando Vasquez, also thought of giving up.

“Way income 24 oras nga byahe, di na makaya… kaundangon na gani ko,” Vasquez added.

From Tuesday until March 23, 2026, gasoline prices increase by around P12 to nearly P17 per liter, diesel by P20 to almost P24 per liter, and kerosene by more than P7 to nearly P9 per liter.

A gas station on McArthur Highway in Matina, Davao City, ran out of gasoline as early as last night, March 16, due to a surge in motorists filling up ahead of the big-time oil price hike.

“Daghan kaayo ang nagpatubil murag nagpanic buying gud sila,” gas station supervisor, Nelfa Clarin, said.

Small business owners who rely on transportation to sustain operations are also affected.

A couple, who traveled to Davao del Sur to buy vinegar for resale, said they have no choice but to endure the rising costs.

“Pahugtan na lang ang pisi kay wa man tay mahimo motubil man gyud ta kay mobyahe man,” business owner, Efren Romey, said.

A P5,000 fuel subsidy for jeepney and taxi drivers affected has been rolled out in Metro Manila under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

However, there is no definite schedule for distribution yet in the Davao region. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-Davao (LTFRB-11) said it is awaiting guidance from its central office.

“As to the fuel subsidy under DOTr, naghulat pa ta sa guidance sa central office. Nevertheless, we have to prepare the list of the drivers, at the same time operators para niana. Kung naa na, ready na for rollout sa DOTr, naandam na pud atong data,” LTFRB-11 Director, Nonito Llanos III, said.

Jeepney and taxi drivers are also advised to fill out a Google form available on LTFRB-11’s official Facebook page.

“Sayon ra kaayo nila apply-an, easier pud on the part of the LTFRB to gather the data through the Google form. Ilaha lang fill-up-an. Naa pud didto makita nila ang attachment sa requirements like ang ilahang CPC, franchise nila, ang ilahang driver’s license, pinaka-importante ang certification nga notarized nga magpamatuod nga sila gyud ang driver sa maong unit,” Llanos added.

Meanwhile, assistance is also being prepared for Transportation Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) drivers. The transport network companies are currently consolidating their lists.

However, LTFRB-11 said it is still waiting for the guidelines.