IF FUEL prices continue to increase, taxi operators in Negros Occidental may be forced to file a petition for a fare increase of P10.Ted Macainan, provincial chairman of Alliance of Concerned Transport of Occidental Negros (Action), said this would mean that the taxi flag-down will become P50 from the current P40.Macainan said they are joining the strike to be held on Monday, March 21, by the members of the United Negros Drivers Operators Center (Undoc), Federation of Bacolod Driver’s Association (Febacda) and the Sentrong Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Negros (Sstone).He said vehicle-for-hire, tricycle drivers and shuttle service operators are also joining the transport strike on March 21 and 22 dubbed as “People’s Holiday.”Macainan added that they are supporting the call of other transport groups in the province for the suspension of the excise tax on fuels and repeal the oil deregulation law.The transport groups earlier urged the national government to release the P6,500 fuel subsidy.Transport groups are calling on the public to support the strike, saying that this is not just their concern but of everybody.Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said in a statement that a big-time rollback in fuel prices may be implemented on Tuesday, March 22.Cusi said pump prices could go down following a dip in Dubai crude oil prices.He said the average for the past two trading days reached $104.79 per barrel. This is lower than last week’s average of $122.61 per barrel, which had caused the massive hike in local pump prices on Tuesday, March 15.‘Biz as usual’Meanwhile, it is going to be “business as usual” at the Bacolod City Government Center when the transport sector will hold the strike.“Your city government commiserates with the transport groups’ sentiments and disappointments,” Mayor Evelio Leonardia said in a statement.Leonardia expressed his solidarity with the transport groups as they call on national agencies to provide some relief to an already difficult situation that is further compounded by the current health crisis.“We wish you a peaceful activity next week and I reiterate my call for sobriety,” Leonardia said, adding that transport groups should show respect for other stakeholders, who may not join the protest action.So as not to disrupt the services, the City Government will observe regular office hours and provide transport services to employees, who may be stranded.Employees are advised to communicate with their respective departments or units for guidance.