MANILA, Philippines — Organized labor groups have demanded that Congress convene a special session to pass the long-delayed ₱200 legislated wage increase, as commuters brace for higher fares in buses, jeepneys, and ferries driven by oil price spikes amid the Middle East conflict. The National Wage Coalition (NWC), composed of the country's biggest labor federations — Federation of Free Workers (FFW), Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP), Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), Nagkaisa Labor Coalition (NAGKAISA!), and the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) — issued the call on Wednesday as prices of diesel rose to more than P100/liter and gasoline more than P90/liter in some areas and with still no end in sight on the crisis. The NWC said that with diesel now exceeding ₱100 per liter and global oil prices continuing to surge, the economic shock was no longer imminent—it was already crushing Filipino workers. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has approved fare increases for passenger jeepneys and buses in Metro Manila. Traditional public utility jeepney (PUJ) fares will rise by ₱1, bringing the minimum fare to ₱14, while modern PUJ fares will increase by ₱2 to P17, both effective Thursday as the TNVS flag-down rate will increase from the current ₱45 to ₱65. The labor groups pointed out that as transport fare increases have been approved across the board, it would definitely result into a corresponding chain reaction in the form of higher commuting costs, rising food prices, and deeper financial strain on already underpaid workers. “Diesel is now over ₱100 per liter—yet workers still haven’t received a ₱200 raise. What are we waiting for—$200 oil prices? As fuel, fares, and food costs climb, wages remain stuck. If workers are forced to work overtime just to survive, then Congress must be ready to do the same to pass this wage hike,” said TUCP party-list Rep, Raymondoza. The group also pointed out that the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has allowed domestic shipping operators to increase passenger fares by up to 20 percent. FFW President Sonny Matula said that while government acted swiftly to accommodate industry adjuistments, it continues to delay decisive action on wages. “This imbalance is indefensible. Government cannot move quickly for fare hikes while dragging its feet on wage relief. A ₱5,000 subsidy for transport workers is necessary—but it is not a substitute for structural wage reform. More than five million minimum wage earners are being left behind," the group pointed out. “Workers are being squeezed from every direction—fuel, fares, food—yet wages remain frozen. This is no longer a debate; it is a policy failure. If Congress does not act now, it is effectively choosing to let millions of minimum wage earners absorb the full impact of this crisis,” it added.