President Ferdinand ”Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to suspension of the implementation of fare hike set Thursday amid increases in the prices of petroleum products.

Marcos Jr. said this is not the time to increase fare of public utility transport vehicles as the tension in the Middle East continues.

”Kaya’t inutos ko sa DOTr na suspendihin muna ang fare hike at i-defer muna natin ‘yan. I-postpone muna natin ‘yan dahil nasa gitna ngayon tayo nitong sitwasyon na ito na kailangan ay patuloy ang ating pag-alalay sa ating mga commuter, sa lahat ng mga ating manggagawa, estudyante lahat ng gumagamit ng ating transport system,” Marcos said in a video message Wednesday.

The announcement came a day after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) approved fare hikes of P1 to as much as P40 in all public utility vehicles, except regular taxis and motorcycle taxis.

The fare increases were supposed to be effective on Thursday, March 19, 2026.

In a statement, the DOTr said it will comply with Marcos’ order to defer the fare hikes in public transportation.

“Ipatutupad ng Department of Transportation ang direktiba ng Pangulo na ipagpaliban muna ang dagdag-pasahe sa mga pampublikong sasakyan habang nagpapatuloy ang pagtaas ng presyo ng langis bunsod ng nagpapatuloy na gulo sa Middle East,” the Transportation Department said.

(The Department of Transportation will implement the directive to defer the fare increases in public utility vehicles while the fuel prices continue to go up due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.)

The President assured drivers and transport workers that the government would provide more assistance and support to ease their burden amid the ongoing crisis.

”Huwag pong mag-alala ang ating mga transport workers dahil mamadaliin po namin, dadagdagan po namin ang suporta sa inyo para naman ay hindi kayo masyadong mahirapan,” Marcos said.

The DOTr said that it is now fast-tracking the distribution of fuel subsidies for qualified drivers and operators.

The Transportation Department added that it is preparing programs aimed at helping both the PUV sector and the commuting public such as “libreng sakay (free ride).”

Marcos said that he already directed the DOTr to provide free rides for commuters across the country. He added that the lines of MRT and LRT would also give fare discounts; while toll fee will also be discounted.

”Ang DOTr ay inutusan ko na simulan na ang libreng sakay sa buong Pilipinas at puwede po ninyong gamitin na muna ‘yan para pangbawas sa gastos sa pang-araw-araw,” Marcos said.

”At sa MRT at saka LRT ay magdidiskwento po tayo doon sa pamasahe. Bukod pa doon, sa mga toll road ay mayroon din tayong inutos na diskwento para mas maliit na ngayon ang bayad ng taong-bayan sa paggamit ng mga toll road,” he added.

Moreover, the DOTr said Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez is already in talks with toll operators to extend possible toll discounts.

“Patuloy pong kumikilos ang DOTr at lahat ng attached agencies nito para matiyak na agad na maibibigay ang lahat ng posibleng ayuda at suporta sa mga komyuter, tsuper at transport operators,” the Transportation Department said.

Marcos, meanwhile, said that the government is ready and considering new measures which will help those affected by the tension in the Middle East.

Senator Imee Marcos, meanwhile, said that the announcement of her brother is quite confusing.

“Nakakalito. Nakita naman natin sa kalsada, halos walang tao kasi akala may fare hike. Biglang inatras na naman. Ano ba talaga? Wala ba kayong [group chat]? Nakakalito,” she said in an ambush interview.

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, on the other hand, underscored the importance of fuel subsidy for the PUV drivers.

“Subsidy for the transport industry would be best to offset their setback,” Sotto said.