Transport Strike Forces Laguna and Albay to Suspend In-Person

MANILA (Azat TV) – A nationwide transport strike that began on March 26, 2026, has disrupted daily commutes and forced local governments in Laguna and Albay provinces to suspend all face-to-face classes, shifting instead to online or modular learning to ensure student safety and continued education.

Transport Strike in Laguna and Albay Halts In-Person Classes

Laguna Governor Sol Aragones and Albay Acting Governor Farida Co announced the suspension of physical classes across all educational levels in their respective provinces. This decision was made in response to the two-day strike called by over 20 transport groups protesting soaring fuel prices and demanding the repeal of energy-related taxes. Both public and private schools have been directed to adopt flexible learning methods until the strike ends.

Governor Aragones confirmed the suspension via social media, emphasizing the temporary shift to modular or online learning platforms. Similarly, Albay’s provincial government, through its Public Safety Emergency Management Office and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, issued official advisories directing schools to halt face-to-face instruction and prepare for alternative learning arrangements.

Transport Groups’ Demands and Government Response

The strike was led by the “No to Oil Price Hike” Coalition, spearheaded by the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON). The groups demand the government reduce fuel prices to ₱55 per liter, scrap value-added and excise taxes on petroleum, and repeal the Oil Deregulation Law, which they blame for unchecked increases.

PISTON President Modesto Floranda criticized current government measures such as fuel subsidies and cash aid, calling them insufficient and temporary. According to Floranda, diesel prices have reached as high as ₱120 per liter in Metro Manila, severely impacting drivers’ earnings and public transport availability. Commuter groups also echoed concerns that government policies, rather than the strike itself, are the root cause of transport difficulties.

Wider Impact of the Transport Strike Beyond Education

Beyond education, the strike has triggered a suspension of court work in the National Capital Region, as ordered by the Supreme Court to accommodate the limited mobility of legal personnel and the public. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a national energy emergency and enacted emergency powers to reduce excise taxes on fuel. Despite these measures, over 400 gas stations nationwide have temporarily closed due to fuel shortages.

Local governments have mobilized resources to assist commuters, including deploying government and fire department vehicles for free rides, particularly in Albay. Disaster risk reduction offices are on alert to monitor the evolving situation and coordinate support efforts.

Educational Disruption and Community Response in Laguna and Albay

The suspension of in-person classes affects thousands of students, compelling schools to quickly adjust to online platforms amid concerns over digital access and learning continuity. Officials in both provinces are urging parents, students, and educators to stay informed of developments and to utilize available resources to minimize educational disruption.

The strike highlights ongoing economic pressures affecting daily life in the Philippines, with rising fuel costs prompting widespread calls for policy reform. The government’s response, including emergency tax relief and logistical support, aims to stabilize the situation, but protesters warn that without systemic changes, disruptions may persist.

This transport strike underscores the vulnerability of essential services like education and transportation to economic shocks, revealing the urgent need for comprehensive energy policy reforms to protect livelihoods and maintain social stability.