- Title: Philippine transport groups strike over fuel price hikes
- Date: 19th March 2026
- Summary: MANILA, PHILIPPINES (MARCH 19, 2026) (REUTERS) PROTESTERS HOLDING BANNERS DURING RALLY PROTESTERS HOLDING BANNERS, READING (Filipino): "Stop the war of US-Israel with Iran / Scrap Oil deregulation law" PROTESTER SPEAKING DURING RALLY SIGN, READING (English): "No to oil price hike!" PROTESTERS HOLDING BANNERS DURING RALLY (SOUNDBITE) (Filipino) FILIPINO TRANSPORT ACTIVIST,
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: Philippines commuters diesel fuel strike transportation
- Location: MANILA, PHILIPPINES
- City: MANILA, PHILIPPINES
- Country: Philippines
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001543619032026RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Transport groups in the Philippines staged a nationwide strike on Thursday (March 19) to protest rising fuel prices, warning that drivers are facing steep income losses and worsening economic pressure as operating costs continue to climb amid war in the Middle East.
Among other things, they called for fare hike increases for drivers, and urged the government to suspend the value-added tax (VAT) and excise tax on fuel.
Many drivers have been operating at a loss, with rising fuel costs eroding already thin earnings, transport activist, Mody Floranda, said.
The Philippines imports nearly all of its crude oil from the Middle East. It has been scrambling to deal with rising prices triggered by the US-Israeli war on Iran.
(Production: Adrian Portugal) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2026. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None