With diesel prices nearing the P100-per-liter mark for the second time this year, a transport leader on Thursday questioned the Department of Energy's (DOE) response to the latest fuel price surge, saying the agency has yet to engage the public transportation sector on measures to address the issue.

Speaking during a Department of Transportation (DOTr) press conference in San Juan City on Aug. 6, Manibela president Mar Valbuena publicly called on DOE Secretary Sharon Garin, saying the agency should take the lead in discussing the government's response to rising oil prices.

"We were actually hoping that it would be DOE Secretary Sharon Garin facing us... Not even once have we heard that there would be a dialogue with them because we believe it is the Department of Energy that should be conducting these types of press conferences," Valbuena said.

Despite his criticism, Valbuena acknowledged the efforts of transportation agencies to maintain communication with Malacañang and the transport sector as operators continue to grapple with rising operating costs.

Valbuena's remarks came after diesel prices climbed above P90 per liter in July, driven by renewed tensions in the Middle East that disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil exports.

He also questioned the continued suspension of the P1 provisional fare increase for public utility jeepneys, which had been scheduled for implementation on 19 March.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. earlier ordered the suspension of the fare hike to shield commuters from additional transportation costs amid rising prices of basic commodities.

Valbuena questioned why the provisional fare increase remains on hold, drawing comparisons with calls to lift the temporary restraining order on the legislated wage hike.

"Our only question is, what is the challenge? What is the reason the P1 fare increase cannot be implemented or why the suspension cannot be lifted?" he said.

"If they are saying that the TRO on the wage hike should be lifted, then once that TRO is lifted, will the fare increase that we are asking for also be implemented?" he added.

Whole-of-government response

Responding to Valbuena's concerns, DOTr Acting Secretary Giovanni "Banoy" Lopez said the government, including the DOE under Secretary Garin, is implementing measures to cushion the impact of higher fuel prices on transport workers.

Lopez cited the fuel subsidy program and other interventions, saying the administration was pursuing a "whole-of-government approach" to provide assistance.

"This is a whole-of-government approach together with Secretary Garin, particularly through the fuel discount program. The entire government, under the leadership of our President, is doing everything it can to at least lessen the burden on the transport sector," Lopez said.

"These measures may not be enough, but you can be assured that we will continue looking for more initiatives to help everyone," he added.