Dev Flores

The  Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) plans to implement a provisional fare increase on Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) once the diesel price climbs to ₱60 per liter.

The contingency is still linked to ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

“Because of the Middle East crisis and the continued increase in the price of fuel, we have definitely considered the granting of provisional increases,” LTFRB Chairman Vigor Mendoza said

The agency cannot reveal the exact amount of increase yet, and this matter remains under review, but the agency says that the price adjustments may vary, depending on the type of transport vehicle.

Chairman Mendoza also wants to consider providing a fuel subsidy to PUV operators and drivers instead of a fare hike.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) previously made a statement regarding this matter on March 2 regarding the finalization of documents related to fuel subsidy distribution once the crude barrel price hits 80 USD.

“Syempre ang first recourse po natin are non-fare increase options. So hopefully, di naman gusto nating ma-trigger yon pero pag na-trigger yung 80 dollars, our first option of course, will be probably fuel subsidy. Ang pamasahe, last option na natin.” Chairman Mendoza said

[Our first recourse is non-fare increase options. So hopefully, we don’t hope for it to be triggered, but if the 80 dollars will be triggered, our first option, of course, will be probably fuel subsidy. The fare will be our last option.”]

With reports from Asher Cadapan Jr

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The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) are currently working to finalize fuel subsidies for Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers once the crude oil price reaches 80 USD per barrel.

According to DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez, there are 2.5 billion pesos expected to be distributed once the crude price rises.

Secretary Lopez also noted that the LTFRB is evaluating the possibility of implementing a fare hike for PUVs. 

“Even without the problem now sa Middle East, pinag-aaralan na ng LTFRB yung possibility na magkaroon ng fare hike. Meron silang pending petition with that,” the Secretary said via an online-issued statement of DOTr

The fuel subsidy program is in accordance with the directive of President Bongbong Marcos Jr. to provide necessary assistance to PUV operators and drivers amid the ongoing conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has announced the opening of the Cabagan-Santa Mara Bridge in Isabela.

On the image, shared by the DPWH, the newly-installed steel bridge is a temporary solution to replace the collapsed section of the bridge, which aims to alleviate the difficulties of the commuters travelling from Cabagan to Santa Maria, vice versa.

“Inutusan po tayo ng Pangulo, ni PBBM, na pumunta dito para, sabi niya, maghanap muna tayo ng temporary na solusyon kasi nakita naman natin 'yung hirap ng mga kababayan natin, yung mga constituents dito sa Isabela na kailangan pa nilang magbangka at tsaka tumawid dito sa malaking ilog para lang makatawid mula Cabagan papuntang Santa Maria and Santa Maria papuntang Cabagan,” DPWH Sec. Vince Dizon said

[“The President, PBBM, ordered us to go here to look for a temporary solution because we have seen the struggles of our fellow citizens and our constituents here in Isabela who need to use boats or pass through wide river, travelling to Cabagan to Santa Maria and Santa Maria to Cabagan.”]

The bridge collapsed on February 27, 2025.

One of the reasons of collapse was the passage of a 100-ton truck. However, President Bongbong Marcos Jr. stated that it was about the design.

“Who is responsible, basically who made the design, because their design is poor,” he said in March 2025

According to Nel Maribojoc’s report on March 2025, the President also noted that the project’s original budget (1.8 billion pesos) had been reduced. 

“Ang project cost nito ay 1.8 billion, so binawasan under 1 billion para makamura,” PBBM said

Additionally, Sen. Alan Perter Cayetano revealed that 12 spans of the collapsed bridge were found defective, which contradicts the report of the DPWH (under former Sec. Manuel Bonoan), where there are only 5 defective spans in the bridge.

“Labingdalawa yung may problemang span hindi lima. Every single span, may problema,” the Senator said

The Manila Local Government Unit (LGU) is set to reduce its fuel consumption by 50% because of the looming oil crisis following the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno announced that the city will cooperate with the immediate fuel conservation measures after following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, situated between Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Oman. The strait is known as the world’s most important oil chokepoint, according to the US Energy Information Administration.

"The country of Iran declared a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, thus, the flow of 20% of the world’s oil is physically blocked," the Mayor stated in an official release via Manila PIO

“More than 20 million barrels of crude, condensate and fuels passed through the strait daily last year on average, data from analytics firm Vortexa showed,” according to Reuters

To achieve the 50% reduction target, the city government aims to limit activities involving high fuel consumption. 

According to the LGU, the mandate also includes implementing compressed workweeks, remote arrangements, and limitations in electricity consumption, such as lighting, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning in all city-owned facilities.

City offices are instructed to switch off the power by 5:00 PM. Hospitals and healthcare facilities are exempted with the restrictions. 

Non-essential travel for city officials and staff is also prohibited, and advised to conduct tasks online as long as the work quality remains uncompromised.

Activities, including Lakbay Aral and foreign trips, are suspended unless necessary.

The City LGU also clarifies that the following essential sectors are exempted from the restrictions on fuel consumption:

• Emergency response operations (Police, Fire, Ambulance services)
• Public health and disaster risk reduction operations
• Garbage collection and hauling
• Traffic management

Other sectors will also be allowed if necessary, but subject to Mayor’s approval.

Violators will face “administrative investigation and penalties under Civil Service Rules”.

“Violations of the travel and fuel-use provisions will be subject to administrative investigation and penalties under civil service rules, including suspension of fuel privileges and other sanctions,” according to the issued statement of Manila PIO

Manila, Philippines – The City Local Government of Manila reported that there are 532 families affected by a fire incident on Cabildo Street, Barangay 655 in Intramuros, Manila. 

The fire incident happened yesterday, February 25, 2026, started at 4:58 PM. The site was declared fire out at 11:30 PM.

The Manila Department of Social Welfare and Development (MDSW) has extended assistance to the affected families currently residing at the Delpan Evacuation Center.

The affected families received hot meals and family kits.

Jealousy is being eyed as a cause of the fire incident. A man allegedly poured gasoline on and set fire to his own house after learning his wife had left him for another man.

UNTV correspondent Dante Amento reported the initial data from authorities that two individuals are allegedly missing or passed away. Verification and confirmation are ongoing.

Authorities are currently conducting clearing operations and assessment.

With reports from Joan Nano and Dante Amento

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