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The two-day strike has already disrupted commuting in Manila, one of Asia’s most congested urban centers, where daily travel can take hours.

Arnold Irinco, a 52-year-old liaison officer, waited in line Thursday morning for a government-provided free ride and said he had been queuing for about 30 minutes. Despite the inconvenience, he expressed sympathy for the protesters.

"I do understand what the protesters are fighting for," he said. "This is their livelihood, they had mouths to feed, they need to live. As a commuter, I need to understand their situation as well."

Government Expands Emergency Powers

On Wednesday, Marcos signed legislation allowing him to temporarily suspend or reduce excise taxes on petroleum products if Dubai crude prices average at least $80 (£59) per barrel over a month.

Since the onset of the Middle East conflict, the government has rolled out subsidies for transport workers, scaled back ferry operations and introduced a four-day workweek for civil servants in an effort to conserve fuel.

A national energy emergency declared Tuesday grants authorities expanded powers to maintain supply stability and shield the broader economy.

The Philippines is the first country to implement such a measure in response to the US-Israel war with Iran.

Officials have also established a committee to oversee distribution of fuel, food, medicines and other essential goods. The government is now authorized to directly procure petroleum products to bolster reserves.

However, the move has drawn criticism.

The Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), a major labor coalition, condemned the emergency declaration, calling it an “admission” that officials had failed to manage the oil crisis effectively.

The group previously accused the administration of minimizing the severity of the situation, arguing that assurances that “everything is normal” were misleading.

KMU also warned about what it described as “anti-worker provisions” in the order, particularly measures that could limit activities deemed disruptive to economic operations, including strikes.

Business leaders, however, have voiced support. Tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan, chairman of several major utilities firms, said rising energy costs were already affecting operations.

In a statement, he said companies were feeling mounting pressure but added that the government “should have every option” available to guide the economy through what he characterized as a challenging period.