Benise Balaoing

Jeepneys remain parked silent rows as drivers wait for their turn to ferry passengers at a terminal in Baclaran, Pasay City, on March 23, 2026. For the second consecutive week since fuel prices began their sharp ascent, drivers have largely abandoned active cruising in favor of the "pila" (queuing) system—a tactical shift to minimize fuel consumption and combat the relentless surge in diesel costs. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

DOTr studying fare hike, subsidies as fuel prices spike anew

Jekki Pascual

ABS-CBN News

MANILA— The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is studying the possible subsidies and fare hikes as fuel prices <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/7/13/big-diesel-price-hikes-seen-on-july-14-1215" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">spike anew</a>, amidst renewed tensions between the United States and Iran.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/7/13/oil-prices-surge-on-us-iran-attacks-2054" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Oil prices surge on US-Iran attacks</a></div>Prices of petroleum products such as diesel have shot up and are seen to continue rising until next week.Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez  has been tasked with studying the situation and balancing the interests of the transport sector and of commuters and consumers.&quot;[D]ahil kapag tumaas ang presyo ng pamasahe, definitely ay tataas din ang mga presyo ng ibang mga produkto,&quot; she said.(Because if fares increase, prices of other products will definitely also rise.) &quot;So, ang nais ng Pangulo ay walang maiwan, kailangan matulungan ang lahat sa tamang pamamaraan at sa balanseng pamamaraan. So, inaaral po ito ngayon according to Secretary Banoy Lopez,&quot; Castro added.(What the president wants is for nobody to be left behind. Everyone needs to work together correctly and in a balanced manner. So that is already being studied, according Secretary Banoy Lopez.)Among those being considered is a petition by transport groups Pasang Masda to implement the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/18/marcos-orders-dotr-suspend-fare-hike-1445" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">P1-fare hike</a> the president ordered suspended at the start of the oil crisis.She said Lopez has also said that will be studied for the government to come up with appropriate assistance to the transport section. &quot;Pero tuloy pa rin ang pagtulong din natin sa mga kababayan natin na mga consumers,&quot; the Palace official said.(But our help to the consumers will continue.)Fuel prices have rolled back several times in the past months as geopolitical tensions eased.Before that, the government issued fuel subsidies and cash aid to affected transport workers as diesel and gas prices soared during the height of the war.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is studying the possible subsidies and fare hikes as fuel prices spike anew.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is studying the possible subsidies and fare hikes as fuel prices spike anew.