Manila’s Transport Workers Struggle to Make Ends Meet as Philippines Feels Force of Oil Crisis

Why It Matters

The crisis threatens household incomes and fuels broader inflationary pressure, jeopardizing economic stability for low‑wage workers and the wider Philippine consumer market.

Key Takeaways

• Fuel prices up 60%, cutting drivers' earnings by one‑third
• Government declared national energy emergency, securing oil until June 30
• Transport strikes demand removal of fuel excise tax
• Inflation could hit double digits by May, experts warn
• Community pantries reappear, providing food aid to drivers

Pulse Analysis

The Philippines’ reliance on imported crude makes it especially vulnerable to geopolitical shocks, and the recent Middle‑East conflict has driven global oil prices to near $200 per barrel. For Manila’s tricycle and jeepney drivers, the 60% price jump translates into four litres of gasoline per day and a loss of about $3‑$4 in daily take‑home pay, pushing many below subsistence levels. This immediate squeeze on transport workers ripples through the economy, as higher freight costs feed into retail prices and erode consumer purchasing power.

Policy makers have responded with a national energy emergency, securing enough crude to sustain domestic refining until the end of June and even sourcing a shipment from Russia. Yet public anger remains high, prompting transport unions to stage a two‑day strike demanding the repeal of fuel excise taxes and the oil deregulation law. The government’s cash‑relief programs and community pantries provide short‑term relief, but economists warn that without structural reforms, inflation could breach double‑digit levels by May, intensifying pressure on food prices as transport costs rise.

Looking ahead, the crisis could accelerate a shift toward alternative energy solutions. Discussions on solar installations and electric vehicles have surged on social media, reflecting a growing appetite for diversification away from oil dependence. For policymakers, balancing immediate relief with long‑term investment in clean transport infrastructure will be crucial to safeguard low‑income workers and stabilize the broader economy.