Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Eon Sanchez

ABS-CBN News

<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F748067398242907%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>MANILA — A nationwide transport &quot;holiday&quot; by the United Transport 86% Consolidated Entities Nationwide kicked off on Monday morning. </p><p>As of 6:00 a.m., traffic remained light along several major roads in Manila despite the temporary suspension of operations by some transport groups.</p><p>Monitoring along Magsaysay Boulevard showed no significant build-up of passengers, while some jeepneys continued to operate and pick up commuters bound for Pasig and Cubao.</p><p>According to Misael Melinas, national chairperson of the National Federation of Transport Cooperatives (NFTC), leaders from various regions came together to carry out the transport holiday.</p><p>“Itong national transport holiday na ikinasa, ito ay ang pinagsama-samang mga national leaders. Ito po ay pinabuo sa ilalim ng United Transport Consolidated Entities Nationwide,” Melinas said.</p><p>He added that major groups from different parts of the country took part in the initiative.</p><p>“Malalaking mga grupo po ito. Binubuo ito ng buong region natin — Cebu, Mindanao, Cavite, Bicol, pati na ang Pangasinan,” he said.</p><p>The group said the transport holiday was conducted in response to a severe crisis facing the sector, including the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/23/oil-prices-up-following-trump-ultimatum-on-iran-0709">continuous increase in fuel prices</a>, lack of fare adjustments, and delays in the release of government subsidies.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/22/ph-allows-limited-use-of-lower-grade-fuel-to-secure-supply-amid-global-oil-volatility-2155">PH allows limited use of lower-grade fuel to secure supply amid global oil volatility</a></div><p>“Itong transport holiday na ’to ay isinagawa namin upang iparating sa ating mahal na pangulo yung aming paghihirap dahil sa taas ng presyo ng krudo at hiling namin, sana pabilisin yung mga ayudang ipinapangako,” Melinas said.</p><p>He said many drivers and operators were struggling under the current situation.</p><p>“Halos tatlong linggo na kaming nahihirapan at halos hindi na rin talaga kami makabiyahe dahil sa taas ng presyo ng krudo,” he said.</p><p>The group’s key demands included relief from financial obligations.</p><p>“Dahil nga kami ay mga modern unit na rin, sana ibaba na ang moratorium para sa aming monthly amortization at syempre, pabilisin yung fuel subsidy at service contracting,” he added.</p><p>The group clarified that the action was not intended to paralyze public transportation.</p><p>“Hindi namin ito ginawa para paralisahin yung ating pampublikong transportasyon. Ito ay ginawa namin para lang maiparating sa ating gobyerno ang kakulangan ng LTFRB at DOTr sa mga programang kanilang inilalatag sa amin,” Melinas said.</p><p>He said the transport holiday started at 4 a.m. and would last until midnight.</p><p>“Karamihan sa mga nabanggit kong lugar, hindi naman kasi namin ito intend na talagang paralisahin, kundi ang pakiusap din namin sa aming mga mananakay na sana’y maintindihan ang aming hinaing,” Melinas added.</p><p>The group confirmed that a letter would be submitted to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to outline their demands.</p><p>“Ipapadala namin mamayang alas-8 ng umaga sa opisina ng ating mahal na pangulo ang nilalaman po nito,” Melinas said, referring to requests such as faster subsidy release, a moratorium on payments, and other financial assistance.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/22/marcos-jr-fuel-subsidy-rollout-to-other-transport-sectors-to-begin-on-april-6-1444">Marcos Jr.: Fuel subsidy rollout to other transport sectors to begin on April 6</a></div><p>The group called on the government to act swiftly to prevent the situation from worsening and affecting both the transport sector and the commuting public.</p><p>They also appealed for understanding from passengers and urged them to plan their trips accordingly during the transport holiday.</p><p>According to the group, the initiative aims to highlight the current condition of the industry and push for long-term solutions for both operators and commuters.</p><div><iframe width="726" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LJ8JN3t874g" title="Price of gasoline to breach P100/L, diesel to go up to P130/lL in next week&#x27;s oil price hike | ANC" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <iframe width="725" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9Agx1Hrf2aA" title="Philippines eyes Russian oil imports to ensure supply | ABS-CBN News" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>A nationwide transport "holiday" by the United Transport 86% Consolidated Entities Nationwide kicked off on Monday morning.</p>

A nationwide transport "holiday" by the United Transport 86% Consolidated Entities Nationwide kicked off on Monday morning.

Nationwide transport 'holiday' underway; operators urge faster release of subsidies, fare adjustments

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Nationwide transport 'holiday' underway; operators urge faster release of subsidies, fare adjustments

Eon Sanchez,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 23, 2026 07:52 AM PHT

|

Updated Mar 23, 2026 09:03 AM PHT

Read More:

Transport Holiday

United Transport 86% Consolidated Entities Nationwide

Fare Adjustment

Public Transportation

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