The Philippines faces a significant crisis as oil companies impose yet again, a hefty increase in fuel prices taking effect today, January 21, 2025. This marks the third consecutive week of oil price hikes, with gasoline prices rising by P1.65 per liter, diesel by P2.75 per liter, and kerosene by P2.50. This week’s increase has hiked gasoline prices to P70 per liter, diesel prices to around P60 per liter, and kerosene to about P75 per liter.
According to transport group PISTON, these increases are exacerbating the already dire situation of jeepney drivers and ordinary Filipinos, who are grappling with the burden of regressive taxes and rampant corruption in public office.
The cumulative impact of these price hikes has been staggering. As of mid-January 2025, year-to-date increase total P3.45 per liter for gasoline, P5 for diesel, and P4.30 for kerosene.
For many jeepney drivers, this translates to daily fuel expenses soaring to approximately P1,800 — an amount that exceeds both the NCR minimum wage and the family living wage of P1,200.
The ongoing situation is further compounded by regressive taxes on fuel such as VAT and excise tax that disproportionately affect the poor while allowing billionaires to benefit from tax breaks. PISTON estimates that jeepney drivers have lost around a total of P6,400 of income due to these oil taxes since the beginning of the year.
“The government must immediately remove regressive oil taxes like VAT and excise tax. The intensifying crisis in the country and the growing discontent among drivers reflect the broader disappointment of citizens who feel neglected by the Marcos government in the face of rising prices and diminishing income,” said PISTON National Spokesperson Ely Villena.
Meanwhile, according to PISTON, public officials like Vice President Sara Duterte continue to face scrutiny and impeachment complaint over her mishandling of public funds while lowly officials from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) have seemingly emulated Marcos and Duterte’s corrupt practices by further stealing the meager incomes of jeepney drivers and operators through the imposition of dubious, unjust, and excessive fines and penalties.
For PISTON National President and Makabayan senatorial candidate Mody Floranda, “The Marcos government is already doing nothing to lower the prices of goods or increase people’s income, yet they allow Sara Duterte, who is facing three impeachment cases for corruption, to wreck havoc and consolidate her influence for the upcoming elections.”