Education has always been framed as accessible, yet with escalating fuel prices, students are left standing by the roadside, not waiting—but desperately pleading.
Recently, cardboard signs reading “pasakay po” from students of Zamboanga City went viral, as they turned towards the kindness of strangers to beat a system that has pushed drivers off the road and commuters into hopelessness. While this situation is not new in the current times of crisis, it does not mean it should be tolerated—especially when this situation is not a mere inconvenience, but a reflection of how perseverance has been romanticized in order for neglect to be excused.
For daily commuters such as students, the lack of operating PUVs worsens daily uncertainties, as they are forced to struggle with longer hours of waiting and overcrowded stops. The “pasakay po” signage are not isolated cases, as ABS-CBN News reported a similar event in La Union. While these instances may seem to be an act of resourcefulness and may even bring humor, it is far more critical to view such happenings as proof of how mobility has become conditional for those who rarely make ends meet.
According to the recent oil price monitor of the Philippine Star, the national average of diesel and premium diesel fall at ₱128.73 and ₱134.60 per liter respectively. Due to this, many public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers are forced to stop their usual operations, as their income barely sustains the required fuel expense. While government subsidies are provided and the Department of Energy (DOE) forecasts a fuel price rollback in the following weeks, these measures merely act as bandages rather than sustainable solutions—emphasizing the clear need for planned solutions rather than reactive actions.
The impact of rising oil prices is experienced even more by students from low-income backgrounds, as they rely heavily on public transportation to sustain their education—whether as a means to head to school or as a means of supporting their family's livelihood. Unlike those with private vehicles, financial flexibility or living proximity to the campus, they are left to deal with limited options. When these students resort to “pasakay po” or hitchhiking, it is a direct reflection of constrained choices, where education depends on how they can adapt to their circumstance. As such, it is important to question the systems that have led to this adaptation.
It should be noted that each missed ride risks a missed class and hours that could have been used productively; each delay risks penalties that accumulate over time significantly, from reduced participation to possibly getting dropped from the course. It is clear that the current system of education equates constant presence with good performance, but it fails to consider the struggles of others who lack the needed privilege. The need for inclusive policies not just from the government, but also from academic institutions are needed, as disadvantaged students should not be unequally pressured by the same policies. What is measured as failure often reflects the failure beyond it.
Beyond academics, the current oil crisis reveals a deeper imbalance in how essential systems are supported. Public transportation remains the backbone for many regular Filipinos, proven on how in 2025 alone, the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) Busway serviced 66.7 million passengers and the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) accommodated over 60.28 million commuters. Yet despite this importance, the system continues to operate under fragile conditions, lacking long-term support and protective policies. Rising fuel prices may strain many sectors, but it is the absence of effective regulation and intervention from relevant authorities that unfairly burdens regular citizens.
This shift of responsibility should not be accepted. Systematic gaps can only be addressed by those who hold relevant power, not by those who are forced to endure them. It's time for authorities to acknowledge that their privilege shouldn't hinder them from understanding citizens’ needs. A crisis would remain recurring not because it is inevitable, but because it is left unresolved. Though global concerns cannot be immediately addressed, sufficient subsidies and clearly provided alternatives can do far more than just help, and with preventive measures, the needs of affected groups can be answered.
While students, drivers, and other commuters have managed to adapt, it does not mean that their struggles should be normalized to the point where being indifferent to their circumstances is accepted. What is never questioned would always end up unanswered, as such, the urgency of their situations should not be diminished nor desensitized as merely seeking convenience. The more it is treated ordinarily, the more that the system escapes accountability.
At its core, the current crisis underscores the need for basic and reliable services to not be uncertain, and for mobility to be guaranteed regardless of chances. Addressing this issue requires recognizing the importance of proper transportation systems to ensure the survival of education, work and day-to-day living. In a country that upholds education as a pathway out of hardship, it is deeply contradictory for the journey towards it to be its own struggle. Education should not depend solely on the willingness of the students to find ways to learn, while enduring uncertainty and begging for academic accessibility. No right remains as a right when it must be desperately pleaded for on the roadside. Until long-term policies are prioritized, access to opportunities would remain to the privileged.
Written by Judge David Asuncion (Honorable Perjury), Insight PH
Judge David Asuncion (Honorable Perjury), Insight PH is a dedicated campus journalist and contributor. Their insightful writing sparks meaningful conversations and keeps the community informed.
