Approximately 100 members of the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston) Cebu are set to participate in a nationwide transport strike scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, 2026. The strike aims to protest the ongoing franchise consolidation mandate and rising fuel costs, as confirmed by Piston Cebu chairman Greg Perez in a message to SunStar Cebu on Monday, April 20.
Protest Details and Route Impacts
Greg Perez stated that drivers joining the strike operate along key routes in Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and Cebu City, including areas such as Talamban, Guadalupe, and Labangon. This action is part of a broader nationwide movement by transport groups to voice grievances against policies they claim threaten their livelihoods.
Opposition to Franchise Consolidation
The strike stems from the National Government's Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program, which requires operators to consolidate into cooperatives or corporations. Piston and other transport groups have consistently opposed this policy, arguing that the high cost of modern public utility vehicles will bury operators in debt and phase out traditional units. They warn that the consolidation mandate could lead to a monopoly in the public transport sector, potentially leaving small-time operators jobless.
Economic Concerns and Fuel Prices
Piston Cebu highlighted on its Facebook page that recent rollbacks in fuel prices are not significant enough to offset earlier increases, leaving consumers burdened by high costs of goods and services. The group emphasized that the public continues to suffer from rising prices and worsening food insecurity, calling for unity and resistance against the ongoing economic crisis.
Previous Strike Actions
On March 19, members of Piston Cebu marched from MJ Cuenco Ave. to Osmeña Blvd. in Cebu City as part of a previous nationwide transport strike. Protesters at that time demanded a P5 fare increase and the removal of excise tax and value-added tax on oil. In an earlier interview, Perez noted that a P1 increase in the minimum fare for traditional jeepneys was insufficient to offset rising fuel costs before the Department of Transportation suspended its implementation.
Government Response and Preparations
Perez described the fare adjustment as an insult to both drivers and operators. The Cebu-based transport group advocates for jeepney drivers' rights, pushing for higher fares, subsidies, and the suspension of the consolidation mandate. In anticipation of the strike, the Cebu City Government is preparing to deploy buses and government vehicles to assist stranded commuters across major thoroughfares.
