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MANILA, Philippines — Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) workers joined the two-day nationwide transport strike, warning that rising fuel prices are disrupting commutes and putting business operations at risk.
The protest, supported by labor group BIEN Pilipinas, comes as diesel prices reportedly reached ₱120 per liter, pushing jeepney drivers’ daily operating costs to around ₱3,600 and forcing many to the brink of non-operation.
“The drivers won’t earn anything… and they still have to pay their other fees,” BIEN said in a statement, adding that continued price increases could drive operators off the road entirely.
The group said the impact is already spreading beyond the transport sector, affecting workers, professionals, and students who rely on public commuting to maintain daily routines.
“If the drivers can no longer operate, the operators won’t earn anything either. Workers, professionals, students won’t have any way to commute… Even us night shift heroes are affected,” the group said.
Industry observers note that rising fuel prices do not directly increase office costs, but they create indirect pressure on workforce reliability. Companies may be pushed to explore alternative transport arrangements or expand flexible work setups to maintain service continuity.
The protest also reflects broader economic strain, as workers face rising living costs that outpace wages.
At a gathering held at the Mendiola Peace Arch, BIEN joined transport groups, commuters, and supporters in calling for policy changes, including wage increases, removal of value-added tax on basic goods, and repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law.
BIEN Bridgtowne Chapter President Sarah Prestoza expressed solidarity with transport workers, saying that the issue is a shared struggle across sectors.
“As drivers and operators take to the streets, they carry the same burden that workers face every day. Rising fuel prices, increasing cost of living, and wages that do not keep up,” she said.
Prestoza also added that BPO workers are stepping in to support drivers and push for broader relief measures, including lower oil prices, higher income for transport workers, and the removal of VAT on essential goods.
Tags: BPO workers, transport strike, fuel price hike, BIEN Pilipinas, jeepney drivers, labor protest, commuting crisis, cost of living