BACOLOD CITY — Mayor Greg Gasataya met with transport leaders on Monday, September 28, 2026, as he reaffirmed his administration’s sense of urgency and concern over the financial strain brought about by rising fuel prices, which he said also affects the local government’s operations.
The dialogue came amid the ongoing nationwide three-day transport strike staged by various transport organizations in protest of rising petroleum prices.
“All of us are deeply affected by these ongoing fuel price hikes. Even here in the local government, our fuel budget is heavily strained.
That is why we truly understand what you are going through,” Mayor Gasataya said, while assuring that public safety would be maintained in coordination with the Bacolod City Police Office. Rudy Catedral, President of the Bacolod Alliance of Commuters, Operators, and Drivers-Negros Island (BACODNI-MANIBELA), raised their urgent appeals to the national government, including the temporary suspension of the 12% value-added tax (VAT) and excise taxes on fuel products.
He also sought local government interventions to help ease the impact of rising fuel costs on drivers and operators.
“We requested city-level support, including adjustments in light of rising fuel costs, local government initiatives to assist operators with vehicle rehabilitation required for Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) franchise renewals, and immediate inspection of local gas stations,” Catedral said. Catedral, along with leaders of the Kabacod Negros Transport Organization/Coalition (KNETCO), also expressed appreciation for Mayor Gasataya’s approach in engaging with the transport sector, saying the administration has provided them space to air their grievances.
“We have said this before, and we will say it again: We give our utmost respect to Mayor Greg Gasataya because we clearly see his deep concern and attention,” said Lilian Sembrano, president of KNETCO.
“Even without us approaching him personally, he has never harassed us or left us hanging in situations like this.
He has always given us the leeway to continue earning our livelihood. That is why whenever we conduct a strike, a rally, or a press conference, we always pay respect to the local government unit, because the LGU is truly doing its part to help us in return,” Sembrano added.
Reinforcing their commitment to the riding public, transport leaders assured the Mayor that Tuesday’s protest action would maintain partial unit operations across city routes to ensure that workers, students, and other commuters can continue traveling with minimal disruption.
Mayor Gasataya, on the other hand, directed the City Administrator’s Office and City Engineer’s Office to continue the city’s “Libre Sakay” operation, providing free rides to commuters in key areas of the city.
The designated areas include:
● Bata (Mormons Church) — 2 vehicles
● Alijis (Crossing/Circumferential 7-Eleven)
● Handumanan (Barangay Gym)
● Sum-ag (Phoenix Gas Station)
● Granada (Barangay Hall)
The dialogue underscored the city government’s continuing efforts to address concerns raised by the transport sector while ensuring that essential public transportation services remain available to Bacolodnons during the strike.(BACOLOD CITY COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE)