Philippine Jeepney Driver Reggie Manlapig Struggles to Keep His Livelihood as Fuel Costs Rise

For 46-year-old jeepney driver Reggie Manlapig, driving has been a way of life for nearly 25 years. Today, rising fuel costs are forcing him to work longer hours while bringing home less money.

Manlapig drives a route between Malolos in Bulacan and San Fernando in Pampanga, north of Manila. The journey takes about two hours each way, and he can make the trip several times during a long working day.

Longer Hours, Smaller Earnings

Manlapig says the increase in operating costs has dramatically changed his daily routine. He previously worked long shifts and could still take home several hundred pesos after expenses. Now, much of his income is absorbed by the higher cost of fuel.

He says completing five round trips in a single day can be physically exhausting, especially during school holidays and other periods when fewer passengers are traveling.

A Job That Supports More Than One Family

Jeepney driving is an important source of income for thousands of families in the Philippines. The brightly decorated vehicles are also a familiar part of everyday life, carrying workers, students and other passengers between towns and cities.

For drivers like Manlapig, however, the rising cost of fuel means that simply keeping a vehicle on the road has become increasingly difficult.

Fare Increases Have Not Solved the Problem

Philippine transport authorities recently allowed a one-peso increase in jeepney fares. Drivers interviewed by the South China Morning Post said the increase was too small to offset the sharp rise in fuel and operating costs.

Manlapig and other drivers say they are caught between keeping fares affordable for passengers and earning enough to support their own families.

Why Jeepneys Remain Important

Jeepneys have long been one of the most recognizable forms of public transportation in the Philippines. For many commuters, they provide an inexpensive way to travel through communities that are not always well served by other forms of transport.

That makes the financial difficulties facing drivers a concern that extends beyond the people behind the wheel. If drivers reduce their trips or leave the profession, passengers can also face fewer available vehicles.

A Difficult Road Ahead

For Manlapig, the immediate challenge is simple: continue driving despite higher costs or find another way to support his family.

His experience reflects the pressure faced by many workers whose daily incomes depend directly on fuel prices. Behind the wider economic figures are people spending long hours on the road, trying to keep their livelihoods moving one journey at a time.

Sources

• South China Morning Post — “Philippines’ jeepney drivers ‘stuck between a rock and a hard place’ despite fare increase” — October 2, 2026.
• Reuters — “Philippine transport groups strike over fuel price hikes” — March 19, 2026.