TNVS Drivers Ready to Log Off as Fuel Pain Triggers 2-Day Transport Protest

Thousands of ride-hailing drivers in the Philippines are set to join a two-day transport protest on March 26 and 27, with organizers saying around 5,000 TNVS drivers may stop accepting bookings. The action is tied to growing anger over soaring fuel prices that have pushed operating costs higher for drivers using both motorcycles and cars.

According to the report, the protest will not be limited to app-based drivers. Labor and transport groups under the No to Oil Price Hike Coalition, including Piston and Manibela, are also expected to participate, along with some bus and UV Express drivers. For many of them, the message is simple: sobrang bigat na ng fuel costs and they want faster government action.

Driver groups said some motorcycle taxi riders plan to switch off their apps so they will not receive bookings during the strike period. The coalition is also demanding bigger policy changes, including the removal of VAT and excise taxes on fuel and even the repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law, which they believe leaves consumers too exposed to global price spikes.

The groups are also pushing for fuel prices to fall back to around P55 per liter, far below current levels that have already gone past P100 per liter in some cases. Labor organizations joining the coalition are backing higher wages too, arguing that workers and drivers are getting squeezed from both sides by expensive transport and expensive basic goods.

The protest comes as the government rolls out relief steps like discounted fares for MRT-3 and LRT-2 commuters, but transport groups say those moves do not solve the financial pressure on drivers themselves. For commuters, this means bookings and road transport options could be affected for two days habang umiinit pa ang usapan on fuel prices and economic relief.

Source: Rappler article