Thousands of drivers strike in the Philippines over rising fuel prices — SkimNews
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- Piston, the Philippine transport workers' union, organized the two-day strike beginning Tuesday with at least 70,000 drivers and operators participating, demanding fuel be reduced to 55 pesos ($0.88) per litre — the pre-February price before the US-Israel war on Iran.
- Philippine National Police stationed 8,643 personnel across Manila and monitored 11 rallies involving just 275 people, declaring the strike had not significantly disrupted the capital region.
- Manibela, a rival drivers' group, staged a one-day strike Monday before suspending Tuesday for dialogue with the Land Transportation Office, demanding removal of value-added and excise taxes on fuel.
- The Department of Transportation deployed free rides for stranded commuters Tuesday, while the Bicol region authorities sent buses to assist affected passengers.
- Philippine daily driver wages have collapsed from $10 per day at the start of 2025 to under $5, per Al Jazeera's Jamila Alindogan reporting from Manila.
- The Philippines became the first country in the world to declare a national energy emergency in March over oil price increases, with the most recent fuel hike on August 25 attributed to Middle East conflicts disrupting the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane.
- Piston accused President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's government and the US of making drivers "suffer through the oil crisis," stating "fuel prices will continue to rise as long as the US persists in waging war."
Why it matters: The Philippines' dependence on imported oil means geopolitical conflicts 6,000 miles away are halving driver incomes in real time — $10/day to under $5 — and forcing the first national energy emergency declaration in the world, exposing how transport workers in import-dependent nations absorb the full cost of distant wars.
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