Thousands of ride-hailing drivers vow to stop receiving bookings for 2-day strike

MANILA, Philippines — Thousands of motorcycle and car ride-hailing drivers will join other public utility vehicles motorists in a two-day transport strike on Thursday, March 26, and Friday, March 27, to protest rising fuel prices.

Around 5,000 Transportation Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) drivers are expected to participate, Defend Job Philippines spokesperson Ted Lazaro said in a press conference of the No to Oil Price Hike Coalition on Monday, March 23.

No to Oil Price Hike Coalition, which is composed of labor and transport groups, including Piston and Manibela, will also participate in the transport strike. Some bus and UV express drivers will also join.

Kariders president Andey Espiritu and Kapatiran sa Dalawang Gulong-Kagulong officer Dan Pangan said that they received committments from motorcycle taxi riders that they will turn off their apps to not receive a booking. Some TNVS will also join the protest to air their frustration on how the government has been dealing with the oil price hike.

The coalition, launched on Monday, is also calling for the scrapping of the value-added tax (VAT) and excise tax on fuel, as well as the repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law.

It is also pushing for a rollback of fuel prices to P55 per liter, from current levels that have surged to over P100 per liter.

Labor groups within the coalition are set to stage a parallel labor strike. While they support fare hikes, they are also calling for higher minimum daily wages for workers to P1,200 or around double the current rates in major Philippine regions.

The coalition is calling for an end to US agression in the Middle East, which is causing the surge in the prices of fuel.

The coalition also urged the government to increase the fare for public transportation in response to expensive fuel. Some members of the coalition also questioned President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s decision to suspend the fare hike in consideration of commuters.

Marcos, instead, ordered to provide a 50% discount for MRT-3 and LRT-2 commuters. The government also asked toll operators to give discounts to public utility vehicles, buses, and freight services.

The group also wants the government to step in directly — take over or heavily control oil supply — and lower fuel prices for consumers, instead of letting market forces dictate prices. – Rappler.com