President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has officially ordered the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to suspend the incoming fare hikes for public utility vehicles. The price adjustments were scheduled to take effect on March 19, 2026, but Marcos decided to delay the fare increase due to the persistent conflict in the Middle East.
The President also directed the DOTr to launch free ride or Libreng Sakay programs to assist citizens amid the rising fuel costs. Along with this, train fares and toll fees are set to be discounted.
At the time of writing, the DOTr has announced that free rides will be available on the EDSA Busway and other select public transportation lines. However, the agency has not yet specified when the program will begin and what other routes will be included.
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Fuel prices in the Philippines have greatly risen for the second straight week, initially prompting the fare adjustments for jeepneys, buses, P2P services, airport taxis, and TNVS. Marcos said that the fare hike will instead be postponed and that public transportation workers will be receiving even more support during this time.
Recently, the House and the Senate approved bills authorizing the President to suspend excise taxes on fuel to help manage its rising costs. Given the unpredictability of the conditions in the Middle East, however, Marcos said he is not keen on exercising this power at the moment.
