National Union of Students of the Philippines - Panay

30/05/2026

The National Union of Students of the Philippines - Panay expresses its deep alarm over the selection of Lt. Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete, the 67th Commanding General of the Philippine Army, as the guest speaker for the 2026 University Recognition Program of West Visayas State University (WVSU).

​Since assuming command in 2025, Lt. Gen. Nafarrete has overseen military operations that have resulted in severe human rights violations. Under his leadership, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) welcomed the year 2026 by dropping bombs in Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro. This operation forcibly displaced over 188 families, killed three Mangyan children, and severely injured their mother.

​More recently, the AFP conducted a large-scale military operation in Toboso, Negros Occidental, forcing the evacuation of over 300 families. Nineteen individuals were killed in the operation. While Lt. Gen. Nafarrete and the AFP claim this was a legitimate encounter, facts on the ground heavily contradict this narrative. A fact-finding mission conducted last May 13 and 14 revealed that many of the casualties were innocent, unarmed civilians.

More than a hundred human rights workers, Makabayan lawmakers, activists, church workers, youth leaders, and journalists have confirmed that the casualties—including UP students Alyssa Alano and Maureen Keil Santuyo, peasant rights advocate Errol Wendel, community journalist RJ Ledesma, and American Filipino-American activists Kai Dana Rene-Sorem and Lyle Prijoles—were absolute non-combatants. Residents of Sitios Sinugmawan and Plaringding explicitly stated that they had spoken with the group regarding local agrarian issues and confirmed that none of them were carrying fi****ms at any point. One of those killed, Alyssa Alano, was our fellow student leader.

​Beyond the rural communities, we note with grave concern the intensified surveillance and military intervention within our schools and universities. The AFP, through the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), has routinely conducted red-tagging forums during National Service Training Program (NSTP) classes. These forums baselessly label legitimate youth organizations as "fronts" for the CPP-NPA-NDF—an old, discredited tactic that even a recent military resource speaker admitted is actively used by the national government.

​𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐚 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐅𝐏 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞-𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞, 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

​𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬. 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐝𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧-𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧-𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐅𝐏, 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐭. 𝐆𝐞𝐧. 𝐍𝐚𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐞, 𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤?

​We call on WVSU officials to uphold the institution's integrity and safeguard the rights and welfare of the student body. The university must encourage critical thinking and value the principles of justice, accountability, and transparency.

​Lt. Gen. Nafarrete and the AFP do not embody these values. 𝐖𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐬𝐤: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡?

​𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐞 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐚 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐬.

​NUSP Panay calls on all students and youth to stand firmly against any form of campus militarization, intimidation, and red-tagging.

​No to campus militarization!
Uphold students' rights and welfare!

11/05/2026

NUSP Panay: "Let justice and accountability prevail. Impeach and Convict Sara now! Jail Bato Now!"

​The National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) Panay, stand firm as student leaders committed to the principles of justice and accountability. We refuse to be silent witnesses to the systematic plunder of our nation’s coffers and the bloodstained history of state-sanctioned violence.

​The time for reckoning has arrived. We hail the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte and demand that Senator Bato Dela Rosa be turned over to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Both must face justice and answer directly to the Filipino people for their crimes.

​The Duterte camp claims that impeachment is a "distraction," but the truth is clear: accountability is a public concern. There is no greater service to the people than ensuring those in power are held liable for their actions. Impeach and Convict Sara Duterte, for her blatant refusal to explain anomalous expenses and her disdain for transparency. Impeachment is not a "conspiracy"—it is a necessary step to end the culture of impunity and corruption.

We likewise call to Arrest and Jail Sen. Bato Dela Rosa for his role in the crimes against humanity. He must answer to the people and the families who have long been denied justice.

​We call on all students across Panay to amplify these calls. We must remain vigilant and carry forward the struggle against bureaucrat capitalism. Our outrage must turn into action. Let us join the ranks of the broad Filipino people in demanding an end to corruption—from the Dutertes to the Marcos administration and their cronies.

​Let accountability prevail!
Impeach Sara Duterte!
Jail Bato Dela Rosa!
Students of Panay, unite and fight for justice!

10/05/2026

PANAYANON STUDENT LEADERS DENOUNCE THE RELAUNCH OF THE STATE-LED SSCSP!

THE NATIONAL UNION OF STUDENTS OF THE PHILIPPINES (NUSP) – PANAY, together with its member councils and the broad ranks of the studentry, stands firm in its historic role as the vanguard of students' rights and welfare. As the Supreme Student Council Society of the Philippines (SSCSP) attempts to re-emerge and re-launch its organization, we reiterate our unwavering defiance against the militarization of our academic spaces and the co-optation of student leadership.

​The re-launching of the SSCSP is not a mere "networking" event; it is a calculated move to reinforce CHED VI Memorandum No. 205 s. 2022 and Executive Order 70. We recognize this for what it truly is: a mechanism of the NTF-ELCAC to infiltrate campuses and transform independent student councils into mouthpieces of the state.

​In light of this renewed threat, NUSP Panay and its member councils declare the following:

​I. DEFEND THE INDEPENDENCE OF STUDENT COUNCILS
​We condemn the persistent intervention of the Philippine Air Force and other military entities in our academic affairs. The assimilation of councils into the SSCSP—an entity birthed and nurtured by military institutions—is a direct affront to the autonomy of student governments. The military has no jurisdiction over the student body, and their presence in our organizational structures is a violation of the sanctity of our schools.

​II. DENOUNCE THE STATE-SPONSORED CO-OPTATION OF HEIs
​We denounce the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) VI for continuing to act as a conduit for the NTF-ELCAC. By enjoining Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to support the SSCSP, the Commission fails in its primary mandate to protect Academic Freedom. Instead of fostering safe havens for critical thought, CHED VI is opening the gates for those responsible for the red-tagging and endangerment of student activists.

​III. BOYCOTT THE RE-LAUNCH OF SSCSP-WESTERN VISAYAS
​We call on all genuine, democratic, and autonomous Student Councils to refuse participation in the upcoming election of officers and the re-launching of the SSCSP. To join the SSCSP is to validate a climate of fear. History shows that these state-led "student formations" serve only to facilitate military-led "orientations" that vilify legitimate student grievances and threaten those who dare to speak out.

​IV. CALL ON SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIONS TO UPHOLD DEMOCRACY
​We demand that university and school administrations stand with their students rather than the agents of state surveillance. Do not provide a platform for the NTF-ELCAC to harass and threaten your constituents. To allow the SSCSP to take root on your campuses is to surrender the Constitutionally guaranteed freedom of thought and to contribute to the narrowing of civic spaces in our country.

The persistent erosion of our democratic rights since the implementation of EO 70 finds its latest expression in the re-launch of the SSCSP—a transparent effort to suppress youth dissent and student activism.

The Panayanon student leaders will not be silenced. We call on all students, teachers, parents, and stakeholders to link arms and resist this institutionalized intrusion. We must ensure that our councils remain beholden only to the students they serve—not to the generals and bureaucrats who seek to control them.

​DEFEND STUDENTS' RIGHTS AND WELFARE!
STUDENT COUNCILS, UNITE AGAINST MILITARIZATION!
STOP THE ATTACKS!
NO TO SSCSP!

30/04/2026

𝗞𝗔𝗕𝗔𝗧𝗔𝗔𝗡, 𝗧𝗨𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗚𝗢 𝗦𝗔 𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗔𝗡!
𝗣𝗔𝗚𝗣𝗨𝗚𝗔𝗬𝗔𝗡 𝗔𝗡𝗚 𝗠𝗚𝗔 𝗣𝗔𝗚-𝗔𝗦𝗔 𝗡𝗚 𝗕𝗔𝗬𝗔𝗡!
𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗣𝗔𝗚𝗣𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗟𝗢𝗬 𝗔𝗡𝗚 𝗞𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗚𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗔𝗡

𝗠𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗜𝗦𝗔 𝗦𝗔 𝗠𝗔𝗬𝗢 𝗨𝗡𝗢!✊️⚒️

Sa Mayo Uno, aton pasidunggan kag ipanawagan ang hustisya para sa mga martyr nga pag-asa ng bayan.
Sila ang mga pag-asa ng bayan nga gin sabat ang tawag ng panahon nga alagaran ang pumuluyo.

Ang pondo para sa militar, gingamit sa pag-masaker sang kapwa naton nga mga estudyante kag pumuluyo.

Gani, sa adlaw sang mga mamumugon, kabahin sang sektor nga gin alagaran nila Alyssa, RJ, Errol, Maureen kag iban pa nga biktima sang masaker sa Negros, aton sukton kag pasabton ang gobyernong Marcos-Duterte sa ila kapabayaan, pagpangawat, pagpamigos, kag pamatay sa pumuluyo!

Aton sukton ang Marcos-Duterte sa ila sala sa pumuluyo! Kag aton pasidunggan ang Negros 19, pamaagi sa pagpakigbato sang kinamatarong sang sektor nga ila gin alagaran.

Ululupod kita nga maghulag kag manawagan sang hustisya!

Hustisya sa mga mamumugon nga manubo ang sweldo!
Hustisya sa pumuluyo nga gin kawatan!
Hustisya sa Negros 19 Massacre!

Wala sang maayo nga buwasdamlag ang pamata-on kung magabilin ang amo ni nga sistema. Gani, mga pag-asa ng bayan, aton bag-ohon ang sistema!

𝗞𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗮𝘆 𝗸𝗶𝘁𝗮 𝟭𝗽𝗺 𝘀𝗮 𝗨𝗣 𝗙𝗹𝘆𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗸𝗮𝗴 𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘂𝗹𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗻 𝗻𝗴𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗮 𝗜𝗹𝗼𝗶𝗹𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗹 𝘁𝗮𝗽𝗻𝗮 𝟰𝗽𝗺. 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗱!🔻✊️

Invite all members, friends, and allies. Kitakits!

30/04/2026

NO TUITION INCREASE IS A VICTORY OF OUR COLLECTIVE STRUGGLE!

The National Union of Students of the Philippines welcomes the pronouncement of Commission on Higher Education Chairperson Shirley Agrupis on the absence of tuition increases for Academic Year 2026–2027.

In a press conference, Chairperson Agrupis stated, “[w]hile we recognize the increasing needs of higher education institutions, we appeal that this is not the right time to increase tuition.”

This development marks a step forward in our campaign for a Tuition and Other Fees Increase (TOFI) Moratorium and the abolition of unjust, exorbitant, and dubious fees imposed on students.

However, our collective struggle does not end here. We must remain vigilant against hidden and miscellaneous fees that may be imposed during collection. We call for sustained critical monitoring and meaningful consultations within our universities to ensure that no form of financial burden is passed on to students. Likewise, we challenge CHEd to continue heeding the calls of its constituents, whether it be regarding tuition and other fees increase, the anti-student online classes, protecting academic freedom and human rights in our universities, among others.

This victory is a testament to the power of unionizing and collective action. When students organize, assert their rights, and raise their voices, real gains are achieved.

We celebrate this win—but we do not stop here.

Tuloy ang laban!

20/04/2026

NUSP PANAY IN THE NEWS | NUSP Panay in Bombo Radyo Iloilo 837kHz interview calls for the people to suppport and join the People's Protest and Transport Strike tomorrow, April 21.

Watch for full details:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1KSQxTn7SR/

20/04/2026

NUSP PANAY IN THE NEWS | 'UNTAT BIYAHE, UNTAT TUGHONG' BUWAS SUPORTADO SANG MGA ESTUDYANTE

Maga-upod mga estudyante kag kabataan sa hiwaton nga untat biyahe kag untat tughong nga protesta sa Mandurriao Elementary School humalin las-6 sa aga tubtob las-6 sa gab-i buwas, Abril 21, 2026.

Sa interview sang DYRP Life Radio Iloilo kay Matt Gonzaga, regional coordinator sang National Union of Student of the Philippines (NUSP), iya ginpahayag nga magapartisipar sila sa protesta bilang pagpakita sang ila suporta sa untat biyahe buwas bangud indi lang ini isyu sang mga drivers kundi pati naman nila nga estudyante kag pumuluyo.

Bangud sini, ginapanawagan man nila sa mga eskuwelahan ang pag-suspend sang face-to-face classes bilang pagpakita sang suporta sa amo nga lihok.

Nagapati sila nga wala sang konkreto nga solusyon ang gobyerno sa krisis nga ginaatubang sang pungsod ilabi na sang mga transport sectors.

Dugang pa niya nga ginapakamalaut man nila ang pahayag ni DOE Secretary Sharon Garin nga indi na dapat paglauman nga maga-rollback pa ang gatong sa P60 nga presyo kada litro. | CYocson (via Iloilo in Focus)

'UNTAT BIYAHE, UNTAT TUGHONG' BUWAS SUPORTADO SANG MGA ESTUDYANTE

Maga-upod mga estudyante kag kabataan sa hiwaton nga untat biyahe kag untat tughong nga protesta sa lima ka strike center lakip ang sa UPV-Iloilo City Campus, Iloilo Provincial Capitol, Tagbak terminal, Ungka Terminal kag atubang sang Mandurriao Elementary School humalin las-6 sa aga tubtob las-6 sa gab-i buwas, Abril 21, 2026.

Sa interview sang DYRP Life Radio Iloilo kay Matt Gonzaga, regional coordinator sang National Union of Student of the Philippines (NUSP), iya ginpahayag nga magapartisipar sila sa protesta bilang pagpakita sang ila suporta sa untat biyahe buwas bangud indi lang ini isyu sang mga drivers kundi pati naman nila nga estudyante kag pumuluyo.

Bangud sini, ginapanawagan man nila sa mga eskuwelahan ang pag-suspend sang face-to-face classes bilang pagpakita sang suporta sa amo nga lihok.

Nagapati sila nga wala sang konkreto nga solusyon ang gobyerno sa krisis nga ginaatubang sang pungsod ilabi na sang mga transport sectors.

Dugang pa niya nga ginapakamalaut man nila ang pahayag ni DOE Secretary Sharon Garin nga indi na dapat paglauman nga maga-rollback pa ang gatong sa P60 nga presyo kada litro. | CYocson (via Iloilo in Focus)

20/04/2026

NUSP PANAY IN THE NEWS | BAND-AID SOLUTION LANG ANG PAG-SUSPEND SANG EXCISE TAX SA LPG KAG KEROSENE SA KRISIS SA GATONG - NUSP Regional Coordinator Matt Gonzaga

Gintawag nga 'band aid' solution ni Matt Gonzaga, regional coordinator sang National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) ang pag-suspend sang excise taxes sa LPG kag kerosene.

Suno kay Gonzaga, nga ang pag-suspend sang excise tax ang lihok sang gobyerno agud makita lang nga may ginahimo sila apang suno sa iya ang matuod nga sabat diri ang pagkontrol sang gobyerno sa pagtaas sang presyo sang gatong pinaagi sang pag-suspend sang Oil Deregularization Law.

Madugay na nga ginapanawagan sang NUSP ang pag-suspend sang Oil Deregularization Law sa pungsod agud may yara sang kontrol ang gobyerno sa hulag sang presyo sang gatong kag indi maabusar sang mga oil companies ang kapareho nga sitwasyon sa Middle East.

Pahayag pa ni Gonzaga nga wala sang konkreto nga solusyon ang gobyerno sa amo nga krisis nga ginaatubang sang publiko ilabi na sang transport sector.

Nagapati man si Gonzaga nga ang ini nga krisis sa gatong ang nakaapekto indi lang sa transport sector kundi sang pumuluyo nga Filipino gani nagahugpong gid sila sa pagahiwaton nga People's Transport strike nga untat biyahe kag untat tughong buwas sa atubang sa Mandurriao Elementary School halin las-6 sa aga tubtob las-6 sa gab-i. | CYocson (via Iloilo in Focus)

BAND-AID SOLUTION LANG ANG PAG-SUSPEND SANG EXCISE TAX SA LPG KAG KEROSENE SA KRISIS SA GATONG - NUSP Regional Coordinator Matt Gonzaga

Gintawag nga 'band aid' solution ni Matt Gonzaga, regional coordinator sang National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) ang pag-suspend sang excise taxes sa LPG kag kerosene.

Suno kay Gonzaga, nga ang pag-suspend sang excise tax ang lihok sang gobyerno agud makita lang nga may ginahimo sila apang suno sa iya ang matuod nga sabat diri ang pagkontrol sang gobyerno sa pagtaas sang presyo sang gatong pinaagi sang pag-suspend sang Oil Deregularization Law.

Madugay na nga ginapanawagan sang NUSP ang pag-suspend sang Oil Deregularization Law sa pungsod agud may yara sang kontrol ang gobyerno sa hulag sang presyo sang gatong kag indi maabusar sang mga oil companies ang kapareho nga sitwasyon sa Middle East.

Pahayag pa ni Gonzaga nga wala sang konkreto nga solusyon ang gobyerno sa amo nga krisis nga ginaatubang sang publiko ilabi na sang transport sector.

Nagapati man si Gonzaga nga ang ini nga krisis sa gatong ang nakaapekto indi lang sa transport sector kundi sang pumuluyo nga Filipino gani nagahugpong gid sila sa pagahiwaton nga People's Transport strike nga untat biyahe kag untat tughong buwas sa atubang sa lima ka strike center halin las-6 sa aga tubtob las-6 sa gab-i. | CYocson (via Iloilo in Focus)

19/04/2026

𝗡𝗨𝗦𝗣 𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗬 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗦 𝗢𝗡 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗝𝗢𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗘𝗢𝗣𝗟𝗘'𝗦 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗞𝗘! 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗦 𝗢𝗡 𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗨𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗗 𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞 𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗟 𝟮𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗜𝗡 𝗦𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗘𝗢𝗣𝗟𝗘’𝗦 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧!

The National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) – Panay, alongside the alliance of student councils, student unions, and youth formations across the island, stand in firm solidarity with our transport workers, laborers, and marginalized sectors. On April 21, the youth of Panay will not be mere observers; we will join the toiling Filipino people in the People’s Transport Strike to demand economic justice and state accountability.

​We are navigating an economic landscape where the relentless surge in fuel prices has triggered a devastating ripple effect. From January to March 24 alone, oil prices have skyrocketed by ₱75.00 per liter. For a jeepney driver consuming 20 liters a day, this is an additional ₱1,500 in daily expenses—an unbearable blow to families already struggling to survive. This crisis is worsened by the imperialist wars of aggression launched by the United States in oil-producing regions, yet it is our local drivers, farmers, and consumers who bear the brunt of these global instabilities.

​As student leaders, we cannot remain indifferent to the material realities of our constituents. When the community suffers, students suffer.

​Escalating food costs erode limited student allowances, forcing many to choose between a meal or a ride to school. Many students come from households of transport workers who are currently threatened by the government’s anti-people PUV Phaseout policy. The Oil Deregulation Law remains a primary culprit, allowing oil giants to impose unbridled price hikes while the national government offers nothing but "insufficient" subsidies that exclude the majority of those affected.

​If the government can suspend work and classes for diplomatic events like the ASEAN Summit to project "global readiness," there is no justification for inaction now. It is an affront to the Ilonggo people when the state can halt operations for international optics but refuses to do the same for a legitimate economic grievance.

𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗟 𝗗𝗘𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗦:

​𝗧𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗚𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗡𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗜𝗟𝗢𝗜𝗟𝗢: 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟭 𝗮 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲’𝘀 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆. 𝗪𝗲 𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝗮 𝘁𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲.

​𝗧𝗢 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟 𝗔𝗗𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦: 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆. 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲-𝘁𝗼-𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟭. 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 "𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝘂𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹" 𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆.

​𝗧𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗚𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗡𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧: 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗶𝗹 𝗗𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗮𝘄 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗼𝘀 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮 ₱𝟭,𝟮𝟬𝟬 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝗶𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘀.

​𝗧𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗛 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦: 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲! 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗱𝗮𝘆. 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲’𝘀 𝗕𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀.

​𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘄. 𝗧𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗮𝘆: 𝗛𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀. 𝗗𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗲.

​📍 STRIKE CENTERS
Iloilo Provincial Capitol
​Ungka Terminal
Tagbak Terminal
UP Visayas – Infante Flyover
Mandurriao

​✊ SUPPORT AND JOIN THE PEOPLE’S TRANSPORT STRIKE!
✊ JUNK THE OIL DEREGULATION LAW!
✊ STOP THE PUV PHASEOUT!
✊ STUDENTS LEADERS, UNITE!

19/04/2026

UNITY STATEMENT OF PANAYANON YOUTH IN SUPPORT AND JOINING THE TRANSPORT AND PEOPLE’S STRIKE

Panayanon Youth Support and Join the Transport and People’s Strike!

We, the alliance of student councils, student organizations, student unions, and youth formations across the island of Panay, stand united in upholding students’ rights and welfare. Together with the toiling Filipino people, we express our full support for the People’s Strike and call for the junking of the inutile Oil Deregulation Law that enables unbridled oil price hikes at the expense of workers and the broader public.

From January to March 24, oil prices have already increased by ₱75.00 per liter. For a jeepney driver who needs at least 20 liters of fuel per day, this translates to ₱1,500 in additional daily expenses, drastically reducing the income of transport workers who already struggle to make ends meet.

These price increases are not happening in isolation. Continuing geopolitical conflicts caused by the imperialist wars of aggression launched by the United States in oil-producing regions like Iran contribute to instability in global oil prices. Yet it is the ordinary people, drivers, workers, farmers, fisherfolk, and consumers who ultimately bear the burden of these global crises through rising oil costs and the increasing prices of basic commodities.

In the Philippines, the impact of these global developments is worsened by the Oil Deregulation Law, which allows oil companies to impose unchecked price increases without effective government intervention. The domino effect of rising fuel costs drives up the prices of basic goods and services, affecting the daily lives of millions of Filipinos.

In Panay, jeepney drivers and operators are already facing the threat of livelihood loss due to the government’s PUV Phaseout policy. The continuous increase in fuel prices further worsens their situation, forcing drivers to either reduce their daily operations or raise fares—placing an additional burden on commuters.

Students and youth are not exempt from these impacts. Rising fuel costs lead to higher transportation expenses, increased prices of food and basic necessities, and greater financial strain on families. Many students come from households of transport workers, farmers, fisherfolk, and laborers who directly suffer from these economic pressures. As the cost-of-living rises, many families are forced to make difficult choices between sustaining their livelihood and continuing their children’s education.

If commuters will be burdened by the ₱2.00 increase, how about our jeepney drivers who are going to be burdened by ₱75.00 increase in oil prices.

The response of the national government has been grossly inadequate. Instead of addressing the structural causes of oil price hikes, it has merely offered a ₱2.5 billion subsidy program, equivalent to about ₱5,000 per jeepney driver, which is clearly insufficient and excludes many other sectors affected by the crisis.

As youth and student leaders across Panay, we cannot remain silent while transport workers and ordinary Filipinos bear the burden of this worsening economic crisis. The youth must stand with those who bring us to school every day and who keep our communities moving:

1. We therefore call on students, youth organizations, and educational institutions across Panay to stand in solidarity with transport workers and the Filipino people by joining and supporting the People’s Transport Strike on April 21.

2. We call on all school administrations across Panay to suspend face-to-face classes on April 21 in consideration with the People’s Strike that will be conducted.

3. We call on all local government units, including city and provincial councils, to declare April 21 a People’s Holiday and support the legitimate demands of transport workers and the Filipino people.

At this critical moment, unity and collective action are necessary to defend the livelihood of transport workers and to demand genuine solutions to the worsening economic crisis.

✊ SUPPORT AND JOIN THE PEOPLE’S TRANSPORT STRIKE
✊ PROMOTE PEOPLE’S BAYANIHAN
✊ JUNK THE OIL DEREGULATION LAW
✊ HOLD THE MARCOS GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE
✊ IMPLEMENT FARE HIKE & ₱1,200 FAMILY LIVING WAGE
✊ CONDEMN IMPERIALIST WARS WORSENING THE CRISIS

📍 STRIKE CENTERS

• Ungka Terminal
• Tagbak Terminal
• UP Visayas – Infante Flyover
• La Paz
• Mandurriao
• Molo
• Jaro