Solidarity with the striking jeepney drivers in the Philippines
March 19, 2026: Thousands of jeepney drivers belonging to the PISTON union have gone on strike in the Philippines to protest the massive increase in oil prices—from 55 pesos to over 100 pesos per liter—and the Marcos administration’s ban on raising local transit fares.
Initially, there was an official commitment to a fare increase of 1 peso for the minimum local transport fare (2 cents), instead of 5 pesos. President Marcos has revoked the commitment to a 1-peso fare increase, and jeepney drivers are receiving only a monthly payment of 5,000 pesos—that is, €77 per month. This does not even come close to offsetting the rise in diesel prices.
Like all militant unions in the Philippines, the striking drivers are explicitly demanding the national minimum wage of 1,200 pesos for all workers—that is, €18.50 per day—due to general price increases and the rise in local transportation costs.
Please send statements of solidarity to be forwarded to the PISTON union to: contact@iawc.info
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