Camille Naredo

Commuters wait for available rides at Philcoa, Quezon City, on March 27, 2026, during the second day of a transport strike. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Commuters wait for available rides at Philcoa, Quezon City, on March 27, 2026, during the second day of a transport strike. Led by groups under the "No to Oil Price Hike Coalition," the protest aims to decry rising fuel prices and urge the government to ease taxes on petroleum products. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

TRANSPORT STRIKE- STRANDED COMMUTERS

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177494450030120260327-transport-strike-stranded-commuters-commonwealth-MT1.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Commuters wait for available rides at Philcoa, Quezon City, on March 27, 2026, during the second day of a transport strike. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News" width="960"/>Commuters wait for available rides at Philcoa, Quezon City, on March 27, 2026, during the second day of a transport strike. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is gearing up to roll out its service contracting program, which aims to pay drivers directly so passengers can ride for free. According to DOTr Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez, the program is set to begin once the government releases the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO). &quot;As early as March 16, we requested for the SARO. Ito &#x27;yung sinasabi natin parati na once we&#x27;re done with the fuel subsidy program, &#x27;yung timing sana namin mas maayon para we can start rolling out the service contracting,&quot; Lopez said. <div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/24/more-than-240-000-puv-drivers-to-receive-fuel-subsidy-0958">READ: Gov&#x27;t rolls out fuel subsidy for PUV drivers</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/30/jeepney-operators-drivers-receive-fuel-subsidy-1635">READ: Jeepney operators, drivers receive fuel subsidy</a></div>Lopez added that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed that the program be implemented nationwide. &quot;Once we get the SARO by April 15, we are ready to roll it out,&quot;he said.The program is designed not only to ease the cost of commuting for passengers but also to support transport operators and drivers, with the government covering their earnings during free rides.Lopez also noted that aside from the service contracting program, the DOTr has allocated ₱2.5 billion for fuel subsidies and ₱1 billion for service contracting, with ₱300 million reserved for the maritime sector to ensure assistance for passengers traveling by ships and ferries.Despite rising oil prices, Lopez assured the public that both government and private infrastructure projects will continue. &quot;As long as we can source supply, ibig sabihin, meron mga langis para magamit sa ating mga construction, tuloy-tuloy &#x27;yan,&quot;Lopez said. He explained that mechanisms are in place to adjust project costs in case of increased fuel prices, allowing contractors to continue government-funded projects without delays.For private operators, Lopez said companies like North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Corporation and Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) have already sourced around 200,000 liters of fuel, securing uninterrupted construction operations.&quot;The obligation rests on the contractors, especially kapag malalaking mga big infra project. Ang pwede lang namin gawin on our part is if there&#x27;s a need to adjust the cost because of the increase of fuel prices, meron naman mekanismo,&quot;he said.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is gearing up to roll out its service contracting program, which aims to pay drivers directly so passengers can ride for free.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is gearing up to roll out its service contracting program, which aims to pay drivers directly so passengers can ride for free.

DOTr awaits order for service contracting amid oil price hikes

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Business

DOTr awaits order for service contracting amid oil price hikes

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 31, 2026 04:11 PM PHT

Read More:

DOTr

service contracting

oil crisis

transport

Holy Week

Semana Santa

Department of Transportation

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

Haven't received our newsletter?

Check your inbox to verify and confirm your subscription.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.