QUEZON CITY, Philippines — Persistent fuel price surges continue to push public utility vehicle operators and drivers to financial distress, with recent price spikes raising diesel by nearly ₱9 per liter.
During a press conference, transport workers detailed their growing struggle to cover basic family expenses following months of declining take-home earnings. The drivers voiced their concerns after a joint statement was released by Victory Liner, Inc. alongside several major transport organizations highlighting the severe financial strain facing the city and inter-provincial bus sectors.
According to industry leaders, global market volatility and ongoing tensions in the Middle East have pushed operational costs to unsustainable levels.
“No industry can survive when its regulated revenue is lower than the actual cost of delivering its service. This is not a threat to stop operations. This is a notice that operations may soon become impossible,” Victory Liner and allied transport groups stated in a joint message.
Transport workers and fleet managers are appealing directly to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for sustainable, long-term relief measures, including the full implementation of fare adjustments previously approved by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
Provincial drivers Michael Cuervo and Cesar Togle reported that their net earnings have steadily eroded since Middle East conflicts escalated earlier this year. City bus driver Jake Bantolio noted that urban drivers face similar pressure due to the significantly higher cost of living in Metro Manila, admitting he would have left the industry if he possessed alternative trade skills.
While the drivers noted that they currently work for stable transport firms, they expressed concern that companies may eventually be forced to downsize or lay off personnel if conditions do not improve.
Drivers also reported that temporary operational strategies, such as waiting for full passenger capacity before terminal departures, are no longer sufficient to offset fuel expenses.
While transport workers expressed gratitude for government fuel subsidy distributions, they emphasized that the assistance remains limited in scope and fails to cover the entire public transportation sector.