MANILA – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on Filipinos to embrace the spirit of “bayanihan” as the government implements measures to ease the impact of rising fuel prices amid tensions in the Middle East.

“Ngayon ang panahon para maipakita natin sa buong mundo ang katangian ng bayanihan na nasa puso ng bawat Pilipino,” Marcos said in his vlog.

Bayanihan, a Filipino tradition of communal unity and voluntary cooperation, emphasizes helping others without expecting anything in return.

The President also urged citizens to share accurate information and avoid spreading fake news. “Pagtulong sa kapwa, o kahit sa pamamahagi ng tamang impormasyon at hindi pagkakalat ng fake news, huwag naman sana tayong magdagdag pa sa problema,” he said.

Marcos acknowledged the challenges faced by the public, particularly in the transport sector, and highlighted ongoing cash assistance and subsidy programs. “Naiintindihan natin ang sigaw ng mga nagpoprotesta na kababayan natin… pero gusto kong ulitin sa inyo, hindi kayo maiiwanan; hindi kayo pababayaan ng pamahalaan,” he added.

Earlier this week, Marcos ordered a suspension of the fare hikes approved by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, which ranged from P1 to as much as P40 for public utility vehicles, excluding regular taxis and motorcycle taxis. He said fare increases are inappropriate amid ongoing fuel price surges.

Even without a transport strike, some jeepney drivers, including Benny Medina, have temporarily stopped operating due to rising fuel costs. Medina said his earnings from a full day of trips on Wednesday totaled only P56, not enough to cover the price of one kilo of rice, which costs P60.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development will begin distributing cash assistance next week to jeepney drivers, delivery service drivers, motorcycle taxi riders, and Transportation Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) drivers, covering a total of 214,635 beneficiaries.