PUBLIC utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers serving the Matina, Buhangin, and Bunawan routes stage a protest at Km. 24, Bunawan, Davao City, on Friday, March 27, 2026, as part of the 2-day nationwide strike amid the rising fuel prices.
The drivers collectively called on the national government to reduce oil prices and scrap the value-added tax (VAT) on fuel products and other basic commodities.
Mario Payot, 55, a PUJ driver, expressed concern as rising fuel prices drive up operating costs, which reduce their daily earnings.
“Ang among gisinggit ron nga mobalik lang sa normal nga presyo ang krudo para maka-cover mi sa among pagbyahe sa matag adlaw (We demand a rollback at least to normal fuel prices to cover our daily trips),” Payot told TIMES in an interview during the protest.
Payot emphasized his take-home driving a jeep with route Bunawan to Roxas via Buhangin, only netting about P200-P400 daily. He spends P700-800 for fuel by round trip, reaching up to P3,000 for the whole day trip from 5:30 until 9 p.m.
Payot said they will only break even if they extend their operations for three hours, from the previous 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
“Ning add mig oras para naa lang gyud ma take home bisan gamay nga kantidad (We extended our hours so that we would have a take-home pay even if it’s still meager,” he stressed.
Rodel Rioja, 38, expressed disappointment over the continued rising prices of fuel, as it leaves him only P450 to take home, starting his day from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m.
He said this is significantly lower than the previous P1,000 take-home pay when fuel was ranging from P55-P60 per liter.
“Dako kaayo ang nawala sa among kita kay padulong na sa krudo, maong ang ubang driver wa na gyud ning byahe (A significant chunk of our income goes only to fuel. That’s why the other drivers have stopped),” Rioja told TIMES in an interview during the protest.
Rioja rents a jeepney with route Lasang to Roxas via Buhangin, which he pays P1,150 per day, while the fuel pay for a full tank is P2,800- P3,000.
“Agwanta lang gyud bahalag gamay kita basta naay makaon sa adlaw-adlaw (We just have to bear with our meager income so that we have something to eat every day),” he stressed.
Reny Boy Baliguat, vice chair of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) Mindanao, called to scrap the 12% VAT and the excise tax to reduce the fuel prices by P20.
“Because of the 12% VAT and excise tax, an additional P20 will be added to the cost per liter in our country, further burdening the drivers here in Davao region and causing a big impact on the economy,” he stressed.
Protest centers were set up at various points: Milan Buhangin, where 20 individuals participated; Matina Crossing, which had 20 protesters, and Bunawan, with 40 drivers.
The protest in Matina and Buhangin ended at 9:30 a.m., while Bunawan ended at 10:15 a.m., as the drivers resumed operations.
