31/03/2026
UNITY STATEMENT
The College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), its member publications, and allied organizations fully support the transport sectorβs broader multi-modal strike last March 26 to 27, and other related actions in the future, and join their ongoing call on the Marcos Jr. administration to address the long-term impact of staggering oil price hikes in the country.
The governmentβs dragging response to the crisisβthrough piecemeal cash aid distributions and adjustments to working hours across the countryβshows its ineptitude in handling economic shakedowns that affect the majority of the Filipino people. It has failed to realize the consequences of decades of deregulation, privatization of public services, tax incentives for the wealthiest conglomerates, and regressive taxation of consumers and small-scale local businesses.
Filipino families today, as a result of the governmentβs negligence,grapple with rising prices of food, utilities, commuter fees, and other daily needs, while wages remain tied to 695-peso ratesβeven lower in the regions due to rationalization. Rising costs of education further complicate the situation, as students affected by these crises at home will also face tuition fee hikes and commercialized student services in their respective schools.
Henceforth, together with the broader Filipino studentry and communities, we forward the following demands to the Marcos Jr. administration:
Ensure quality education through inclusive face-to-face classes and basic student services amid the crisis and tuition and other fee increase moratorium among schools;
Abolish value-added tax (VAT) and excise tax on petroleum products;
Implement a nationwide PhP 1,200 family living wage, supplemented by a rollback of base oil prices to PhP 55.00, and justified fare hikes to support transport workers;
Junk the Oil Deregulation Law to control fuel pricing and supply management;
Nationalize the oil industry while providing sustained fuel support subsidies; and
Stop complicity and support calls and solidarity actions to end all U.S. wars of aggression across the globe.
The Guild, pro-people and pro-Filipino to its core, upholds its objective of joining the struggles of the masses and their pursuit of justice and accountability amid indifference and impunity. We will continue to advance the interests of the marginalized from our newsrooms to the streets, for a future we all genuinely deserve.
Student publications and press freedom advocates, stand against oil price hikes!
VAT at excise tax sa langis, tanggalin! Lahat ng kurakot, panagutin!
SIGNATORIES
LUZON
The Torch Publications, Philippine Normal University - Manila
Scientia, College of Science UP Diliman
Fiat Lux, National Teachers College
The Current, City of Malabon University
The Work, Tarlac State University
The Angelite, Holy Angel University
The CatSU Statesman, Catanduanes State University
Aletheia, Bicol University Philosophy Department
The Manila Collegian, University of the Philippines Manila
The Appraiser, Bicol University College of Business, Economics, and Management
The Warden Publication, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa
Thomasian Engineer, University of Santo Tomas - Faculty of Engineering
The Flame, Baguio Central University
UP Baguio Outcrop
CaSSiPi, Bicol University College of Social Sciences and Philosophy
Krokis, Bicol University Institute of Design and Architecture
The Vital Signs, Bicol University College of Nursing
The Stateans, Central Bicol State University of Agriculture - Pili
ThePILLARS Publication, Ateneo de Naga University
The Adamson Chronicle, Adamson University
The Sentinel, City College of Calamba
The Forum, Polytechnic University of the Philippines - Maragondon Campus
NU The National, National University
Trinity Observer, Trinity University of Asia
The LATHE, Batangas State University, The National Engineering University - Pablo Borbon
UE Dawn, University of the East
The Catalyst, Benguet State University - College of Natural Sciences
Tanglaw, University of the Philippines Los BaΓ±os College of Development Communication
Kalasag, University of the Philippines Diliman College of Arts and Letters
PUP Campus Journalists, Polytechnic University of the Philippines - Sta. Mesa
UPLB Perspective, University of the Philippines Los BaΓ±os
UP Journalism Club, University of the Philippines Diliman
The Searcher, Polytechnic University of the Philippines - Sto. Tomas Campus
The Engineering Spectrum, Polytechnic University of the Philippines - College of Engineering
TomasinoWeb, University of Santo Tomas
The Limestone, Polytechnic University of the Philippines - College of Education
Ang Tagamasid, UP Manila College of Arts and Sciences
Union of Journalists of the Philippines - UP, University of the Philippines Diliman
UP Solidaridad, University of the Philippines
The Beacon, Ifugao State University- Potia Campus
The Voice of UPLB DevComSoc - University of the Philippines Los BaΓ±os, College of Development Communication
The Catalyst, Polytechnic University of the Philippines - Sta. Mesa
The Communicator, Polytechnic University of the Philippines - College of Communication
The Vanguard, Polytechnic University of the Philippines - College of Political Science and Public Administration
The Lourdenian, Our Lady of Lourdes College Foundation
The Generatrix, Sorsogon State University - College of Engineering and Architecture
VISAYAS
The Tradesman, Samar State University-Main
The Industrial Wheel, Eastern Visayas State University - Main Campus
The Pillar, University of Eastern Philippines - Main Campus
Tug-ani, University of the Philippines Cebu
An Lantawan, Leyte Normal University
Lanog, UP Cebu CCAD Student Publication
The Accounts, UP Visayas College of Management
Ang Mangingisda, UP Visayas College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences
UP Vista, UP Tacloban College
Ang Suga Publication, Cebu Normal University
MINDANAO
Atenews, Ateneo de Davao University
HIMATI, University of the Philippines - Mindanao
THE LAMP, Brokenshire College Inc.
The AgriChronicles - College of Agriculture, University of Southern Mindanao
