Farmers’ groups on Thursday expressed strong solidarity with public utility jeepney drivers, small operators, transport workers and various sectors staging a nationwide protest and transport strike against soaring oil prices and the ongoing US-Israel war against Iran.

“To our fellow commuters, we must support jeepney drivers who are reeling from the oil price shocks. Lahat ng ordinaryong Pilipino apektado ng mga taas-presyo dahil sa gerang pasimuno ng US at Israel. Ang mga nasa Malakanyang at mga bilyonaryo lang ang hindi nakakaramdam sa epekto ng krisis. Sa mga tsuper ng jeep at mga manggagawa sa transportasyon, patuloy tayong lumaban at tumindig para sa ating mga karapatan.”

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) said the broad protests are “justified and necessary” as rising fuel costs continue to drive up prices of basic goods and services, worsening the economic burden on ordinary Filipinos.

“Makatuwiran ang magprotesta at labanan ang ugat ng papalalang sitwasyong pang-ekonomiya dulot ng napakamahal na presyo ng petrolyo,” the group said, citing what it described as the “greed of oil companies” and the Marcos government’s epic failure to act.

Protesters are calling for a six-point agenda, including ending the US-Israel military aggression, increasing workers’ wages and farmers’ incomes, controlling oil and commodity prices, removing fuel taxes, providing significant subsidies, and scrapping the Oil Deregulation Law.

Farmers also criticized the government for recalling the minimal fare increase for jeepney drivers. “Piso na lang, binawi pa. Mas mahihirapan ang publiko kapag wala nang bumiyaheng mga jeepney at PUVs,” said Ronnie Manalo, KMP Secretary General.

The group warned that both transport workers and farmers are being pushed to the brink, with many unable to afford diesel and gasoline for daily operations. “Maraming magsasaka ang hindi na alam kung saan kukuha ng pambili ng gasolina at diesel para sa kanilang mga water pump at makinaryang bukid,” the group added.

KMP also dismissed government assistance as inadequate and delayed. The DA announced that it will provide P2,325 cash assistance to farmers and fishers starting May. “Maliit na nga, sa Mayo pa ibibigay. Mumo ang ibibigay habang tuloy ang paghihirap ng mamamayan,” the group said.

Farmers announced they will join a larger protest tomorrow, March 20, marching to Mendiola to press their demands. ###