Jamaine Punzalan

Jeepneys pass Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on January 3, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

JEEPNEY-PHASEOUT

Jervis Manahan

ABS-CBN News

MANILA (UPDATE) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Wednesday he ordered the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to postpone fare increases for public utility vehicles. He said that with the war in the Middle East, it is not the right time to raise fares,“Kaya&#x27;t inutos ko sa DOTr na suspendihin muna ang fare hike at i-defer muna natin yan,” Marcos said in a video message. (That&#x27;s why I told the DOTr to suspend the fare hike and defer it)He said that workers, students, and everyone who uses the transport system need help during the current crisis.<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 PUVs, taxis, TNVS cars</a></div>Weeks after US-Israeli strikes on Iran triggered the Middle East war and pushed up oil prices, the DOTr unveiled Tuesday price hikes across a range of local transportation, including <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/18/transport-groups-say-fare-hikes-not-enough-to-sustain-drivers-1450">jeepneys</a> that millions of Filipinos rely on to get to work each day. Following the suspension of the fare hikes, Marcos assured transport workers: “Mamadaliin po namin, dadagdagan po namin ang suporta sa inyo para naman ay hindi kayo masyadong mahirapan.&quot;(We are rushing to provice you more support to ease your burden) <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/17/cash-handouts-fare-hikes-as-philippines-battles-soaring-fuel-costs-1224">Cash handouts, fare hikes as Philippines battles soaring fuel costs</a></div><div> </div><div>MANIBELA HITS &#x27;URONG-SULONG&#x27; GOVERNMENT</div>In a statement, transport group MANIBELA criticized the unexpected suspension a sign that government has no idea what is doing.&quot;Laban-bawi sa pamasahe: Hindi pa naipapatupad, sinuspinde na agad!&quot; its chair Mar Valbuena said.(Wishy-washy on fares: It hasn&#x27;t even been implemented and they&#x27;re already suspending it!)He said that while government is trying to make up its mind on how to address the fuel crisis, the prices of fuel, spare parts and basic goods continue to rise.&quot;Hindi sapat ang pagsuspinde kung wala namang malinaw at konkretong kapalit,&quot; Valbuena also said.(Suspending the fare hike is not enough without clear and concrete alternatives)MANIBELA said it is calling on government to implement price controls on petroleum products and and on basic goods and wage relief for workers.It also said the the government should distribute subsidies to public transport drivers and operators and come up with a long-term solution to the country&#x27;s transport crisis.Labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno also criticized the about-face on the fare hike, saying transport workers&#x27; call for it is justified.KMU, which has been calling to raise wages across the country to P1,200 a day, said workers had already been struggling to make ends meet.&quot;Mababa na nga, nilalamon pa ng doble-dobleng pahirap na buwis na 12% Value-Added Tax at excise tax,&quot; the group said.(They are already not earning enough, and what they get is eaten away by the double burden of the Value-Added Tax and excise tax)&quot;At ang nakikinabang lang dito ay ang mga korap sa gubyerno at ang mga kasabwat nilang kapitalista sa langis.&quot;(And the only ones who benefit are the corrupt in government and the oil companies they are in league with)It called on the public to support the transport strike and related protests on Thursday and Friday to call for higher wages, the removal of VAT and the excise tax on fuel, and lower prices on fuel and on goods.<div> </div><div>MARCOS WANTS FREE RIDES EXPANDED</div>He also ordered the transportation department to boost its free ride program and offer discounts on the MRT and LRT.  &quot;Bukod pa doon sa mga toll road ay meron din tayong inutos na diskwento para mas maliit na ngayon ang bayad ng taumbayan sa paggamit ng mga toll road,&quot; he added.(We have ordered the implementation of a discount so people will pay less to use the toll roads)Marcos said this measure is expected to alleviate the hardship of Filipinos as an effect of the Middle Eastern conflict.&quot;Alalahanin po ninyo na ang inyong pamahalaan ay laging nandito,&quot; he said.(Please keep in mind that your government is here for you)&quot;Lagi kaming nag-iisip ng panibagong paraan upang matiyak na ang inyong pamumuhay ay normal, maayos at ligtas,&quot; Marcos said.(We are always thinking of new ways to make sure your lives are normal, orderly and safe)

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Wednesday he ordered the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to postpone fare increases for public utility vehicles.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Wednesday he ordered the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to postpone fare increases for public utility vehicles.

Marcos orders DOTR: Suspend fare hike

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Marcos orders DOTR: Suspend fare hike

Jervis Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 18, 2026 02:45 PM PHT

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Updated March 18, 2026 07:03 PM PHT

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