PROGRESSIVE groups Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Baya)-Southern Mindanao and Kadamay-Davao, along with other sectoral organizations, called for a halt to oil price hikes and criticized government inaction on poverty and corruption following the latest fuel increases.
Bayan and Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap-Davao (Kadamay-Davao) staged a picket rally on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Freedom Park in Davao City. They urged the government to address rising fuel prices and provide adequate support and services.
Rauf Sissay, secretariat member of Bayan–Southern Mindanao, said continuous fuel price increases are burdening Filipinos. He noted that prices of some petroleum products have exceeded P120 per liter in parts of the country and may continue to rise, pushing drivers and consumers further into hardship.
"Apan taliwala sa kapit-os nga ginasinati sa bagang duot sa masa, minimal ug band-aid lamang ang aksyon sa administrasyon ni Bongbong Marcos (But amid the severe hardship being felt by the masses, the actions of the Bongbong Marcos administration remain minimal and merely band-aid solutions)," he said.
Leon Bolcan, chair emeritus of Kadamay-Davao, said the government should provide immediate relief to those heavily affected by rising fuel costs. He urged authorities to scrap the VAT and excise taxes on fuel, repeal the oil deregulation law, and raise wages to a family living wage.
"Sa musunod nga mga semana hangtud sa Mayo Uno, padayon ang among pagpanawagan nga iubos ang presyo sa palaliton ug usbawan ang suholan. Panubagon si Marcos Jr. sa iyahang inaksyon ug dili pagpaminaw sa mga kabus (In the coming weeks until May 1, we will continue to call for lower prices of goods and higher wages. Hold Marcos Jr. accountable for his inaction and failure to listen to the poor)," he said.
Bayan also raised concerns over a proposed four-day workweek, saying it could be implemented without guarantees of additional wages or benefits. The group added that the P5,000 aid for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators is insufficient amid rising fuel and commodity prices.
The group said the government lacks an alternative fuel supply and a comprehensive energy plan, urging officials to craft solutions that address the needs of marginalized sectors.
Meanwhile, public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers in Davao City also called for lower fuel prices and the removal of VAT on petroleum products, saying rising costs have reduced their daily earnings.
Drivers pushed for the removal of VAT and excise taxes, a rollback of fuel prices to P55 per liter, fare increases across transport modes, and a P1,200 family living wage. They also called for greater government control of the oil industry to ensure affordable fuel prices and expressed opposition to the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
The United Davao Delivery Riders Association (Uddra) likewise urged the national government to remove excise tax and VAT on fuel, warning that rising prices are cutting into riders’ incomes. The group said increasing fuel costs, along with company-imposed schemes, further reduce take-home pay.
Oil companies have announced another round of price hikes. Diesel prices are set to increase by about P12.50 to P12.90 per liter, gasoline by P1 to P2.90 per liter, while kerosene will rise by around P2 to P2.40 per liter. RGP