President Ferdinand Marcos had promised to look for new sources of oil as the country had been relying on supplies that pass through the Strait of Hormuz for 98% of its requirements, according to sources. A ship carrying more than 700,000 barrels of Russian crude oil arrived in the Philippines earlier this week, with the vessel Sierra Leone-flagged and named Sara Sky, sources reported. The transport coalitions leading the strike have laid out demands including scrapping fuel taxes, rolling back oil prices, abandoning deregulation, introducing state controls, fare increases, and higher wages.
Groups of protesters gathered in different areas across Manila on Thursday morning, holding signs and calling for the government to do more to help. Many protesters were drivers of jeepneys, and motorcycle and car ride-hailing drivers were also among those who earlier said they would join protests. The effects of the planned two-day strike are already being felt by Manila's commuters.
Some drivers said they had not received the payout of 5,000 pesos that the Department of Social Welfare and Development had said certain drivers would be eligible for.