Cebu Transport Group Stages Third Fuel Protest, Demands End to 'Band-Aid' Subsidies
On Tuesday, April 21, 2026, the transport group Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) Cebu launched its third strike in just over a month, intensifying criticism of the government's P5,000 fuel subsidy as insufficient and poorly distributed. Leaders reported that less than one percent of drivers in Cebu received the full aid, with many facing reduced amounts due to cooperative deductions.
Coordinated Protest Actions Amid Extreme Conditions
Drivers and operators braved extreme heat and poor air quality to hold coordinated protests at key chokepoints before converging on Colon Street in downtown Cebu City for a unified program. The strike ran from 7 a.m. to 2:40 p.m., targeting areas including P. del Rosario Street and Barangays Mabolo, Guadalupe, and Labangon in Cebu City, as well as Barangay Mactan in Lapu-Lapu City, Barangay Cabancalan in Mandaue City, and Consolacion in northern Cebu. Approximately 50 drivers participated, marking Piston Cebu's third action this year following earlier strikes on March 19 and March 27.
Piston Cebu president Greg Perez emphasized that the protest also supported a three-day demonstration in Manila led by Manibela and Piston Manila. In a statement delivered in Cebuano, Perez declared, "We will not stop until there is an adequate response from the government," vowing to continue protests until concrete, long-term solutions to the fuel crisis are delivered.
Criticism of 'Band-Aid' Subsidy and Distribution Issues
The group harshly criticized the P5,000 fuel subsidy, labeling it a "band-aid" solution that has failed to reach most drivers. Perez revealed, "Less than one percent of drivers in Cebu have received it. Many are complaining that they only received P1,500." He explained that subsidies routed through cooperatives are often reduced by deductions, particularly for drivers with outstanding debts, leading to calls for direct aid distribution to avoid corruption.
Perez further argued that the subsidy has effectively morphed into a financial subsidy with limited impact, stating, "The aid is called a fuel subsidy, but it has turned into a financial subsidy." This inefficiency has exacerbated drivers' financial struggles, with daily earnings plummeting from about P1,000 to as low as P200 after expenses due to rising fuel prices, which have reached up to P120 per liter as of April 21.
Calls for Comprehensive Reforms and Allegations of Price Manipulation
Piston Cebu reiterated demands for sweeping reforms, including fuel price rollbacks, removal of excise taxes, fare increases, and repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law. Perez asserted, "Scrap the Oil Deregulation Law. The government must respond not with band-aid solutions but with long-term measures." He also alleged that oil prices are being manipulated by large cartels and businesses, which can raise prices arbitrarily, linking recent increases to global tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran that affect supply.
While acknowledging recent price rollbacks, Perez maintained they are insufficient, noting, "It is true that there has been a rollback, but it is still not enough to return to pre-crisis prices." Participation in the strikes is voluntary, but Perez highlighted that many drivers join willingly despite the harsh conditions, driven by desperation. He added, "We do not mind the exhaustion. We leave our steering wheels behind for everyone — for drivers and passengers."
Future Actions Hinge on Government Response
The group's future strike plans depend heavily on the government's actions. Perez concluded, "When it comes to strikes, it depends on the government's action. We will continue." This ongoing protest movement underscores the deepening crisis in the transport sector and the urgent need for effective policy interventions to address drivers' grievances and stabilize fuel prices.
