Transport groups in Cebu are calling out what they described as misplaced government priorities, even as fuel prices ease slightly but remain high enough to keep jeepney drivers under pressure.
Fuel price rollbacks have yet to significantly ease the burden on transport operators, with drivers still absorbing high operating costs despite recent downward adjustments in petroleum prices.
Greg Perez, chairman of Piston Cebu, criticized national authorities, saying attention is being diverted to public order enforcement while fuel concerns remain unresolved.
“Problema nato karon nganong gahi kaayo no ang Marcos administrasyon sa hisgutanan ani no. Ang batas dali raman unta na buhaton ang batas nganong dali raman kahimo si Remulla nga pangdakpon ang mga gahubo ug mga gainom diha sa daplin,” Perez said on Thursday.
The statement comes amid the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s “Safe City” initiative, which directs stricter enforcement of local ordinances, including prohibitions on shirtless individuals in public spaces and street drinking.
DILG Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla earlier said police units have been instructed to enforce these rules and respond to related complaints through emergency hotlines.
Perez said transport policy should be prioritized instead, particularly the suspension of excise taxes on diesel and gasoline, which he said limits relief for drivers.
The Department of Finance has previously warned that expanding tax suspension coverage could result in up to P43.6 billion in foregone revenue over a three-month period, a factor that has slowed broader fuel relief measures.
While he acknowledged the recent P20-per-liter rollback in diesel prices, Perez said it remains insufficient to offset sustained operating costs for drivers and operators.
He said diesel prices remain around P150 per liter, still far above pre-crisis levels when fuel cost about P50 per liter.
Perez added that jeepney drivers continue to shoulder rising costs that affect fares, logistics, and household expenses.
He also warned of a broader economic ripple effect, where transport costs contribute to higher prices of basic goods.
“Kahibaw gyud ta sa domino effect sa pagsaka sa gasolina. Grabe gyud ang epekto sa ubos. Kinsa niingon nga wala mosaka ang bugas? Tan-awa gud na ninyo karon gyud o,” he said.
Meanwhile, energy officials said further price relief may still be possible in the coming days as global oil markets stabilize.
Energy Undersecretary Alessandro Sales said recent movements in the Mean of Platts Singapore benchmark indicate easing conditions that could support another rollback in the next pricing cycle.
The Department of Energy earlier said recent fuel price cuts were driven by easing tensions in the Middle East following a ceasefire, though officials cautioned that global developments could still reverse the trend.
Photo by Jacq Hernandez, PBB Photojournalist
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