Manibela Launches 2-Day Transport Strike Against Soaring Fuel Prices

The Manibela transport group began its two-day nationwide strike on Monday to protest the surge in fuel prices. As of early Monday morning, the situation on several major roads in the capital, Manila, remained normal, with many jeepneys still operating and commuters able to secure rides, according to Super Radyo dzBB. Jeepneys were still plying routes along España Boulevard, including trips to Quiapo and Claro M. Recto Avenue, as well as Buendia, Vito Cruz, Libertad, and Taft Avenue routes. Several universities in Metro Manila, including the University of Santo Tomas, Far Eastern University, and Adamson University, announced the suspension of face-to-face classes due to the strike. Manibela members started gathering at Philcoa along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City for the protest action, according to a report of Super Radyo dzBB. They said rising fuel prices are affecting drivers' earnings. The group said the continuing increase in fuel costs was forcing drivers to spend a large portion of their daily earnings on fuel. Manibela earlier said the net increase in fuel prices since January, as of August 31, already reached P54.92 per liter for gasoline and P59.06 per liter for diesel. The group is calling for concrete measures to ease the burden of high fuel costs, such as the suspension of petroleum taxes, more accessible fuel subsidy programs, and a review of existing policies governing the country's oil industry.—AOL, GMA News