‘Ang sakit sa puso’: Soaring diesel prices threaten survival of PUV drivers

MANILA, Philippines – Renie Rabago, a jeepney driver for 15 years, is already considering changing jobs as fuel prices continue to soar, driven by the war in the Middle East.

“Kung aabot ng isang daan ‘yung diesel, wala na. Papalo ‘yan, maniwala ka. Kino-contact ko na ‘yung kakilala ko na kung may ma-e-extrahan diyan na construction, pa-extra muna. Do’n talaga [ako] mapupunta,” he lamented.

(If the price of diesel reaches P100, it’ll be the end of us. It’ll reach P100, believe me. I’m already contacting someone I know to ask for any extra construction work. I’ll really end up there.)

Since the price surge, the 31-year-old Rabago has been forced to buy just three liters of diesel at a time, which would be enough for just one round trip along his usual route — traversing portions of Valenzuela City, Caloocan City, and Quezon City via General Luis Street to Maysan Road. He cannot afford a full tank, so he reloads again for the next trip.

“Ang sakit sa puso,” he said. “Dati, ‘yung P250 marami na. Mga anim na litro na ‘yung P250. Ngayon, ‘yung P300 mo, isang ikot lang sa taas ng diesel ngayon [na] P83 [per liter].”

(It’s heartbreaking. Back then, P250 was a lot. P250 could get you about six liters. Now, your P300 can only last for one round trip, since the price of diesel is at P83 per liter.)

Even before the Middle East conflict broke out, oil prices had already been on an upward trend since January. The most recent hike, implemented on a staggered basis in the second week of March, saw diesel prices jumping by P17.50 to P24.25 per liter and gasoline prices going up by around P7 to P10.20 per liter.

With the soaring oil prices and the “boundary” or fixed amount of P700 that he has to pay to the jeepney operator, Rabago admitted he has very little money left at the end of the day, which is insufficient for the needs of his family — a wife and three children, the youngest still an infant.

“[Nitong Miyerkules], magkano lang inuwi ko? P250. Mula [tanghali] hanggang alas-dose ng gabi, ang naiuwi ko ay P250. Kasi ‘yung kinikita namin, napupunta doon sa diesel, imbes dagdag-kita na sana,” he said.

(This Wednesday, how much did I earn? P250. From noon until midnight, I only took home P250. That’s because we end up spending much of the money we earn on diesel, instead of being able to keep it as income.)

For Edwin Pastacio, who drives a modern jeepney, his cooperative’s plan to shift to alternate days of work is not enough for him to stay.

Although he acknowledges their intention to cut costs, forgoing daily wages is not an option for Pastacio, as he has a family of five to support.

“Kung gano’n ang mangyayari sa akin, baka maghanap na ako ng iba pang pagkakakitaan. Kasi siyempre, malaking epekto sa akin ‘yung mawalan ako ng isang araw ng trabaho. Malaking kawalan na sa pamilya ko ‘yun,” he shared.

(If that happens to me, I might have to look for other sources of income. Because, of course, losing a day of work would have a big impact on me. That would be a big loss for my family.)

“Pambaon lang ng mga anak ko, pambayad pa ng matrikula, ‘di ba? Malaking kawalan na sa akin ang isang araw…. Ano’ng kakainin ng pamilya ko ‘pag wala akong trabaho?” added Pastacio.

(For my children’s allowance alone, for their tuition, right? One day would already be a big loss for me. What would my family eat if I don’t have work for a day?)

Plying the same route as Rabago, Pastacio usually spends about P2,500 to fill up his modern jeepney’s tank with a capacity of 50 to 60 liters of diesel. But at the current price, he’d have to spend about P3,000 just to get 40 liters.

Fare increases for public utility vehicles (PUVs) would help ease their burden, 77-year-old tricycle driver Omeng Elardo told Rappler.

“Siguro kung sakali man, mga dalawang piso siguro. Kasi ang pamasahe namin dito dose lang. Mayroong dalawang kilometro ang tinatakbo namin…. Minsan mayroong sampung piso lang [kasi malapit]. Minsan kapag may sakay kang tatlo, trenta lang. Kapag may isang malayo, dose lang ang patong — bale P42 lang ang biyahe namin,” he said.

(Maybe we can increase commuters’ fare by P2. Because our fare here is only P12. We travel two kilometers. Sometimes it’s only P10 if it’s nearby. Sometimes when you have three passengers, it’s only P30. If the distance is farther, there’s just an additional P12 — so our maximum earnings for the trip would only be P42.)

Before the surge, Elardo typically spent about P200 for four liters, enough for a whole day. Now, he’d need to shell out more than P300.

Despite driving a tricycle since 1965 and putting all his children through college because of the job, Elardo is now considering quitting.

He said: “Kung hindi na kaya, eh di tigil na tayo. Walang pasahero, mataas ang gasolina, ano’ng gagawin mo?”

(If we can’t do it anymore, then we should stop. If there are hardly any passengers, fuel prices are high, what are you going to do?)

P5,000 fuel subsidy, aid

Tricycle drivers like Elardo will be the first to receive the recently approved P5,000 fuel subsidy for PUV drivers, starting in the third week of March. Drivers of jeepneys, buses, and taxis, along with transportation network vehicle services or TNVS drivers, will get their subsidy in the following weeks, according to the Department of Transportation.

“Malaking bagay na ‘yon sa amin. Kasi kahit papaano, makakapagbayad ng upa sa bahay, kuryente, tubig,” jeepney driver Rabago said.

(That’s already a big thing for us. Because at least we can pay our rent, electricity, water.)

Pastacio, however, pointed out that a one-time payout of P5,000 would not be enough to sustain them in case fuel prices climb much higher in the coming weeks.

“Kung isang bigay lang ‘yun, dalawang araw mo lang mapapakinabangan ‘yun…. Kasi dalawang araw mo lang magagamit ‘yung P5,000 eh. Kapag magpapa-diesel ka, P2,250 ng araw na ‘yun. Eh kinabukasan, magpapa-diesel ka ulit, P2,250 ulit,” he said.

(If it’s just a one-time payout, you’ll only be able to use it for two days. When you buy diesel, it’s P2,250 for that day. The next day, when you buy diesel again, that’s P2,250 again.)

Assistance with food and other basic necessities would be welcome.

For Rabago: “Kahit ano, basta magagamit sa pang-araw-araw, ‘yan ang importante doon…. [Tulad ng] bigas, lalo na’t nagmahal din ang bigas. Sa araw-araw, ‘yan lang naman ang importante.”

(Anything, as long as it can help us with our daily needs, that’s what’s important. For instance, rice, especially since rice has become more expensive nowadays. Everyday items, that’s all that’s important.) – Rappler.com