As fuel prices continue to surge, youth advocates and transport workers in Davao City called for long-term solutions, alongside a community pantry organized by the Youth Advocates for Pro-People Transportation (YAPPT) Network for Route 4 drivers.

The initiative aimed to provide immediate relief while drawing attention to the broader transport crisis affecting jeepney drivers.

YAPPT Spokesperson and Coordinator Marlou Engreso underscored that the activity was both a humanitarian response and an avenue for direct engagement with drivers, noting the drastic decline in the drivers’ daily earnings due to rising fuel costs.

“Ang layunin sa community pantry is para sa amo, as kabataan, makatabang o maka-alleviate sa kalisod sa mga driver karon nga ilang ginabat-on sa community. Ug para pud makig-interact with them… From around P800 before, mahimo na lang ug PHP 400. Usahay, ang mabilin na lang sa ilaha kay mga P200 to P300 per day,” he said.

Engreso explained that while global factors such as conflicts in West Asia and disruptions in oil supply contribute to rising fuel prices, these have only intensified pre-existing structural issues within the Philippine system.

“Naay VAT nga 12 percent, naa pay excise tax sa fuel kada litro. Unya kulang pud ang regulation. Minimal regulation ug free ang mga oil companies nga mag-set sa ilang presyo.”

He added that YAPPT stands in solidarity with transport workers and supports their calls to remove fuel taxes, particularly the value-added tax (VAT) and excise tax, as immediate relief measures.

“Ang Oil Deregulation Law, dapat i-repeal. Unya dapat pud i-rollback ang presyo sa fuel, kay bisan karon taas kaayo, ang diesel kay mahal na kaayo, nga mao’y ginagamit sa jeep… Ug ultimately, importante pud nga mahunong ang mga gyera nga nakaapekto sa oil supply.”

Route 4 jeepney driver and Drivers Association of the Philippines Initiative Group Inc. (DAPIGI) Cluster Leader Jayson Crisologo affirmed the severe impact of fuel price hikes on drivers’ daily lives.

“Kung sauna makadala mi og P1,000, karon mura na lang og P300 ang mabilin. Kay naa pa mi boundary. Pananglitan kagahapon, akong boundary kay P600, unya ang nadala nako kay P1,000 ra. So ang nabilin nako kay mga P400 [o] P500 na lang.”

Crisologo also highlighted the lack of localized policy considerations, noting that fuel pricing decisions are often patterned after Metro Manila conditions.

“Kung unsay i-release didto sa Manila, i-apply dayon diri sa Davao bisan lahi ang sitwasyon,” he remarked.

While expressing gratitude for the assistance provided, Crisologo emphasized that long-term solutions remain necessary.

“Ang amo lang unta, kanang long-term ug sustainable nga solusyon aron makasabay mi sa krisis… Unta naay konkretong aksyon nga ilang buhaton para niini.”

Engreso mirrored Crisologo’s statements, acknowledging that community-based initiatives alone are not enough to address systemic issues.

“Kung magsalig lang ta sa ing-ani nga initiatives without structural change, magbalik-balik lang gyud ta sa same nga situation. [Pero] dili pud nato ma-discount ang community effort, kay kinahanglan man gyud mukaon adlaw-adlaw ang drivers. Dili man pwede nga maghulat lang sila sa structural change before sila makatabang sa ilang sarili.”

The overall initiative was supported by various donors, including local vendors and community organizations.

The community pantry for Route 4 drivers was organized on April 1, 2026, at Bonifacio Corner Mabini, Davao City.

YAPPT also conducted a community pantry on April 2 for drivers in Puan, as part of its efforts to extend assistance across different transport routes.