Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Bea Cuadra

Christopher Sitson

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773713460715viber_image_2026-03-17_09-18-02_cropped_processed_by_imagy.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">During the rally, the groups called on the national government to provide immediate economic relief by suspending the Value-Added Tax (VAT) and excise taxes on fuel. Bea Cuadra, ABS-CBN News<br/></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — Members of the activist group Anakpawis and other organizations staged a protest at a gasoline station in Quezon City on Tuesday, voicing their opposition to a massive spike in fuel costs expected to hit pumps this week.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/17/-walang-krisis-sa-supply-garin-defends-statement-on-no-oil-crisis-0952">&#x27;Walang krisis sa supply&#x27;: Garin defends statement on &#x27;no oil crisis&#x27;</a></div><p>The protest comes as industry forecasts suggest diesel prices could increase by an unprecedented P19.30 to P22.30 per liter.</p><p>During the rally, the groups called on the national government to provide immediate economic relief by suspending the Value-Added Tax (VAT) and excise taxes on fuel.</p><p>Leaders of the movement argued that removing these taxes would be a more effective way to lower retail prices than the current subsidy programs.</p><p>Anakpawis also voiced frustration over what they described as the &quot;slow and inadequate&quot; distribution of aid.</p><p>Under the current program, eligible farmers and fisherfolk are entitled to subsidies of P5,000 and P3,000.</p><p>Protesters said that these one-time payments are insufficient to cover the rising costs of production and transportation.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>FARE HIKES</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) also announced Tuesday the increase in the base fare for traditional and modern jeepneys, among other PUVs.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/17/-dotr-approves-fare-hikes-for-traditional-modern-jeepneys-0819">DOTr approves fare hikes for traditional, modern jeepneys</a></div><p>Several commuters voiced their opposition to the fare hikes.</p><p>“Sana pati sweldo tumaas din po. Kasi nga po nagco-commute lang po kami. Isa lang kaming mahirap. Para sa amin napakabigat niyan. Pataas nang pataas lahat ng bayarin. bilihin, pamasahe, lahat-lahat po, lalo na sa estudyante namin. Pano po ang buhay?” said Gracia Camangig, a commuter.</p><p>“Ang hirap kaya mamasukan tapos tumaas pa ang pamasahe ngayon umabot ng katorse, minimum pa ang sahod. Kulang pa, pagkain mo pa. Tumataas din sana ang sahod. Mahirap ang pamumuhay ngayon. Ang hirap kumita ng pera tapos mamamasahe ka pa,” another commuter Vicky Ramos said. </p><p>The LTFRB said the fare increases are provisional and will become permanent by June once the new fare matrices are issued.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO<br/></strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZauQoJRnPC4?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div> </div>

<p>The protest comes as industry forecasts suggest diesel prices could increase by an unprecedented P19.30 to P22.30 per liter.</p>

The protest comes as industry forecasts suggest diesel prices could increase by an unprecedented P19.30 to P22.30 per liter.

'Sana pati sweldo tumaas': Groups, commuters protest oil price, fare hikes

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'Sana pati sweldo tumaas': Groups, commuters protest oil price, fare hikes

Bea Cuadra,

Christopher Sitson,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 17, 2026 10:13 AM PHT

Read More:

Rally

Anakpawis

Quezon City

commuters

fare hike

protest

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