Discounted toll rates for PUVs, buses, freight vehicles begin March 23

Toll fees for public utility vehicles (PUVs), public utility buses (PUBs), and freight service vehicles will be discounted for two months starting Monday, March 23, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced.

Freight service vehicles refer to those used for logistics and the delivery of essential goods.

The DOTr said the toll discount will be implemented through a rebate system, with refunds credited weekly to all qualified vehicles.

Here are the discounted rates: @here

Here's the updated fare matrix guide for MRT-3 with 50% discount, starting Monday, March 23.

Cavite City donated four hybrid cars to the local police on Friday, March 20, to ensure patrols continue despite rising fuel costs. The city also provided solar panels to the police station, allowing the hybrid cars to be charged using green energy. | via Dennis Abrina/Rappler

This morning the Happy Pedal Project from Marikina City have set out on a “Together She Moves” community bike ride with Local Host Coffee ☕️ to encourage more women to cycle. 🚴🏼‍♀️ The group ride is visiting Marikina and Quezon City’s streets that are closed off to traffic on Sunday morning. The streets are packed with people running, dancing, biking and having fun being active.

A community of female skaters have taken over car free Emerald Avenue in Ortigas with a free skate clinic today. The group organisers, FT Crew, say they want to encourage more woman and girls to skate and are doing so by creating safe spaces of community where they can learn and feel empowered.

A coalition of public transport groups and workers on Monday, March 23, announced that they will hold a transport and labor strike on Thursday, March 26 and Friday, March 27. @here

Thousands of ride-hailing drivers vow to stop receiving bookings for 2-day strike. More in this report @here https://www.rappler.com/philippines/puv-ride-hailing-drivers-transport-strike-march-26-27-2026/

Commuters lined up at MRT-3 EDSA-Taft station today as DOTR enforced its updated fare matrix. Fares now range from P6 to P14 after the 50% discount.

Hi everyone! My name is Julian Cirineo, editor for Rappler's BrandRap section. Just wanted to share this interesting invite from our friends at Meralco:

Hundreds of tricycle and jeepney drivers in Dumaguete City appeared outside the city hall on Wednesday, March 25, to claim the P100 fuel subsidy granted by the local government.

Edmar Santos, sectoral desk manager of community drivers, clarified that only those who are local residents can avail the subsidy coupons worth P700 worth for a week’s fuel consumption.

The Dumaguete city council approved last week the allocation of P10 million for this program, the first LGU to roll-out cash aid in Negros Oriental.

Moreover, authorized personnel assigned for the distribution will accommodate applicants daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sorsogon declares calamity status, rolls out aid for transport workers

The provincial government of Sorsogon has declared a state of calamity due to rising oil prices and will roll out financial assistance to public transport workers, including jeepney and tricycle drivers.

The declaration would allow the provincial government to tap its calamity fund to provide fuel subsidies and financial aid to transport workers. | via Bobby Labalan/Rappler

SM Supermalls to shorten operating hours

SM Supermalls across the Philippines will shorten operating hours starting March 30, in response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s declaration of a state of national energy emergency.

Starting Monday, SM's mall hours will be from 11 am to 9 pm, Mondays to Fridays, and from 10 am to 9 pm on weekends. | via Sabrina Joyce Go/Rappler

REPORTER’S NOTE: Act of kindness in a time of crisis
Hello! Just sharing some good anecdotes I picked up while covering this oil crisis.

March 27, 2026
I rode with Tatay Victor on his jeepney from Pasig Palengke to MRT-Shaw (and back) for a video report.

Along the way, one passenger waved off her change from a P100 fare. The ride usually costs between P13 and P18.

Another even asked for smaller change just so she could leave a tip for Tatay Victor.

Notes from March 26, 2026
I booked a motorcycle taxi going to Maginhawa for a community pantry story.

At one of the stoplights along EDSA, my motorcycle taxi driver and I spotted a mother and child asking for alms. The driver pulled out some coins from his bag and gave them.

Motorcycle taxi riders are already struggling with soaring fuel costs. With too little to spare, he still chose to give.

Around 60-80 cyclists rode together from Quezon City to Kapitolyo to advocate for safer roads for women this morning, Friday, March 27.

Organised by the Move as One Coalition, the group argues that poor biking infrastructure is deterring Filipinas from cycling. They use the current fuel crisis as an example of why having safe active transport areas is essential, not just for enjoyment, but for people to commute to work more cheaply and efficiently.

Transport and commuter groups converge in Welcome Rotonda, Quezon City for the second day of transport strike to protest the rising cost of fuel.

Cebu Pacific assures fuel supply for all flights until June 2026

Budget carrier Cebu Pacific said that it has secured sufficient jet fuel to support all scheduled domestic and international flights until June 2026.

In a statement on Sunday, March 29, Cebu Pacific said it is “working closely with suppliers and industry partners to ensure continued fuel availability in the months ahead and will continue to take proactive measures to maintain stable and sustainable operations.”

Cebu Pacific previously cancelled and limited several overseas flights in response to the rising cost of fuel due to the conflict in the Middle East.

RELATED STORY: https://www.rappler.com/philippines/cebu-pacific-cancels-limits-flights-oil-price-hike-march-2026/?_thumbnail_id=1813859