ILOILO City — Transport workers in Iloilo are bracing for deeper financial strain as another round of fuel price increases — driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East — threatens to push diesel prices to nearly P100 per liter, prompting fears among drivers that their already thin earnings could collapse.
The price surges, linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, has sparked widespread concern among taxi, jeepney, and tricycle drivers who say the continuous increase in fuel costs is eating directly into their daily income and threatening their ability to support their families.
According to the Department of Energy (DOE), diesel prices could climb to almost P100-per-liter mark this month if global supply disruptions worsen and price adjustments continue.
For many drivers, the impact is immediate and painful.
“Wala kita sang may mahimo. Sa pagtaas ka gatong, apektado man ang pagbyahe. Kis-a gaka-short man sa kita, gamay nga ginansiya,” said Bong, a 36-year-old taxi driver from San Enrique, Iloilo.
Some drivers are already contemplating drastic steps — including stopping work altogether.
“Untat na lang byahe kon indi na gid makaya. Mahina na subong ang kita ka taxi. Tapos dugangan pa sang pagtaas sang gatong,” said Melchim, a 31-year-old taxi driver from Barangay San Isidro, Jaro district here.
Melchim said some operators are discussing subsidy support to help drivers cope with rising fuel costs.
“Isa pa lang man akon nga bata… gina-asikaso subong sang operator ang subsidy para kabulig man sa amon… Kon mauntat ko byahe, ma-apply na lang ko sa trabaho nga may sigurado nga kita adlaw-adlaw,” he added.
Tricycle driver Jomar Marquez, 31, from Barangay Tagbak, Jaro, echoed the growing frustration among transport workers.
“Grabe gid gani. Naapektuhan gid kami sang saka sang gatong… ang amon income gamay na lang,” Marquez said.
Despite the rising costs, drivers say increasing fares is not a simple solution.
“Indi guro magpasaka plete kay indi man namon mapilit ang pasahero… dati may dalhon kami nga P500 okay na, subong indi na gid kay nagdako ang gasto sa gas,” he added.
For Johnny Soriano, a 53-year-old taxi driver from Dumangas, Iloilo with children in college, the financial pressure is becoming overwhelming.
“Duha ang college ko kag mabudlayan gid kami kay sa kapigaduhon sang byahe kag saka sang gatong,” Soriano said.
Soriano admitted that some drivers are already thinking of abandoning driving altogether.
“Mapaminsar ka na lang nga mang-uling sa probinsiya… kay kon magbyahe ka kag may boundary pa, kis-a waay ka gid dala pag-puli,” he said.
Jeepney driver Edwin Baclas, 61, from Ungka II, Pavia, said drivers have little choice but to endure the price increases.
“Wala ta may mahimo kay pataasan nila… mahal na ang gatong pero pareho lang gihapon ang sukot namon sa pasahero,” Baclas said.
Taxi driver Ronald Cabaling, 48, from Sta. Barbara, Iloilo, appealed to operators for relief.
“Tani panubuan man sang operator ang boundary… P1,100 ang arkila ko sa taxi, wala pa ang gatong,” Cabaling said.
With global oil prices continuing to fluctuate amid geopolitical tensions, Iloilo’s transport workers say the situation is becoming increasingly unsustainable — raising fears that many drivers may soon be forced off the road if fuel costs continue to climb./PN
