Jeepney drivers in the Philippines are raising alarm over the escalating fuel crisis, describing its impact as more severe than the economic hardships endured during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many drivers report that soaring fuel prices have drastically reduced their daily earnings, pushing them to the brink of financial collapse.
"During the pandemic, we had ayuda (aid) and some support, but now with these fuel prices, we are earning almost nothing after expenses," one driver lamented. "It feels like we are being squeezed from all sides."
The steep increase in fuel costs has forced drivers to either raise fares—burdening commuters—or absorb the losses, further straining their livelihoods. This situation highlights a growing economic pressure point for public transport operators, who are essential to urban mobility but now struggle to keep their vehicles on the road. As global oil prices fluctuate, local drivers urge government intervention to prevent a transport breakdown that could paralyze daily commutes across cities.