Transport groups in Pangasinan said they will not join the planned nationwide transport strike, but drivers and operators continue to call for concrete government measures as fuel prices surge.

Public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers said their daily earnings have dropped sharply in recent weeks. From earning about P500 to P700 a day, some drivers now consider themselves lucky if they bring home P350.

Drivers said the amount is barely enough to cover their families’ daily needs.

Despite the hardship, many said they cannot afford to stop working.

“Paanong sasama? Wala namang pambili ng pagkain,” Alfredo Magayaga, a jeepney driver, said.

“Siyempre wala naman kaming panghanap-buhay, wala kaming pangkain,” Jesus De Vera, another jeepney driver, added.

Transport leaders said their decision not to join the strike organized by transport groups Manibela and PISTON does not mean they oppose calls for government action.

Bernard Tuliao, president of the One Pangasinan Transport Federation (OPTF), said drivers simply need to continue working to survive.

“In behalf of One Pangasinan Transport, palagay ko hindi naman appropriate na kailangan kaming mag-welga ngayon. Kitang-kita naman natin na grabe na ang sitwasyon doon (NCR), so walang dahilan kasi alam naman nating ang krudo tataas,” Tuliao said.

Transport groups said the sector is now carrying a heavy burden due to the high cost of fuel.

They also said the P1 provisional fare increase for jeepneys is not enough to offset the rising operating costs.

The OPTF urged the government to take concrete steps, such as temporarily suspending excise taxes on fuel and providing fuel subsidies to jeepney drivers.