Cebu jeepney drivers feel pinch as fuel price hikes cut earnings

CEBU, Philippines – Jeepney drivers in Cebu joined transport group Piston’s nationwide strike on Thursday, March 19, to express their dissatisfaction over the government’s response to rising fuel costs. 

According to the jeepney drivers, their daily income has shrunk from at least P900 down to P300.

“Sa pag-igo sa diesel of P120/liter, mokabat na og P3,600/day ang gastoon sa tubil sa mga drayber sa jeep. Wala nay kitaon, moabono pa,” Piston Cebu said in a Facebook post on Thursday.

(With diesel prices hitting P120/liter, jeepney drivers spend P3,600/day on fuel. They no longer earn; they still have to pay more.)

Faced with rising fuel costs and the need to earn for their families, Cebu’s jeepney drivers talk to Rappler’s John Sitchon to explain why they joined the nationwide public transport strike. – Rappler.com