AMID the continuing rise in fuel prices, it is clear that more than just pump costs are increasing—the entire transport system is being placed under serious strain.
According to the Department of Energy, oil prices have climbed for several consecutive weeks. At the same time, data from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board shows a noticeable decline in vehicle utilization.
As fuel becomes more expensive, many drivers are forced to reduce their working hours or stop operating altogether. The result is immediate and damaging: fewer available rides, longer waiting times, and higher costs ultimately borne by commuters.
This is precisely the moment when the government must prioritize long-term, stabilizing solutions—not reflexive punitive actions.
The position of the Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection is both practical and urgent: protect the transport ecosystem first before tightening enforcement. It is neither fair nor effective to pursue aggressive franchise suspensions when even government data systems remain incomplete.
In fact, the gap in identifying the actual number of active drivers was exposed not through enforcement, but through the aid distribution of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. This points to a deeper structural issue—not simply non-compliance by platforms, but a failure in regulatory infrastructure.
Enforcing suspensions or cancellations during a fuel crisis will only worsen the situation by further shrinking supply. And when legitimate, regulated drivers are pushed out, commuter demand does not disappear—it simply shifts elsewhere.
In a country with an estimated seven million motorcycles, this demand is likely to move toward unregistered and informal services such as habal-habal. This creates a serious safety concern: more passengers exposed to rides without insurance, without proper driver verification, and without accountability.
The transport sector is not resisting reform. It supports modernization and compliance. But reform must be implemented with proper sequencing and sensitivity to real-world conditions.
At this critical time, the government must focus on sustaining operations, supporting drivers, and protecting commuters. Regulation can and should evolve—but within a system that is stable, functional, and fair.
Ultimately, good policy is not defined by how strict it is, but by how effectively it safeguards the riding public.
