Piston prefers tax-free oil products to P1 fare hike

MANILA, Philippines — Transport group Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston) on Tuesday kicked off its two-day nationwide strike, saying the removal of excise on petroleum products will have more impact on drivers than the P1 fare increase.

Piston president Mody Floranda said the additional P1 to the minimum fare is not enough to cover the daily living expenses of transport drivers, who lose approximately P1,000 in daily earnings to soaring fuel prices.

“The one peso can’t even buy a piece of candy, let alone be enough for our daily living expenses amid continuous oil price hikes since March,” he told the Inquirer.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Manibela halts 2nd day of strike for LTO dialogue

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

The minimum fare for traditional jeepneys was raised from P13 to P14, and for modern jeepneys from P15 to P17, last Monday.

Floranda also called for the removal of excise and value-added taxes on petroleum products to ease the impact of rising fuel prices on jeepney drivers. “Across the country, we have called for a reduction in oil prices. We have repeatedly clamored for the removal of VAT and excise taxes on petroleum and other basic commodities,” he said. —Chelsy Claire Perez