Is bringing back WFH setups the right solution to fuel price hikes?

"If a worker’s physical presence or activity is not required at the workplace, why not just have them report online? For instance, those in office roles like planning, research, administration, customer service, and other similar jobs can work from home," he said.

For those whose work requires them to be in the office, such as in manufacturing, hotels, restaurants, or hospitals, Tulfo encouraged carpooling with their colleagues to split gas costs.

Statistician Jose Ramon Albert acknowledged that bringing back WFH arrangements amid the rising oil prices can indeed reduce commuting costs, but he asserted that this policy is not a fair response to the ongoing fuel issue.

"The workers most hurt by fuel price hikes—factory workers, construction laborers, hospital staff, drivers, service crews—are precisely the ones who cannot work from home. Telling them to carpool is not a serious policy response," he said in a Facebook post.

"What this proposal effectively creates is a two-tier labor force: white-collar workers get relief, while blue-collar workers absorb the full shock. That’s regressive," he added.

According to Albert, if the main problem is that oil prices affect household budgets, then the proper policy tools would be temporary fiscal relief, noting that data from the Family Income and Expenditure Survey shows that "well-targeted cash transfers are far more progressive than blanket measures."

Moreover, Albert said that WFH setups during the COVID-19 pandemic "exposed problems with responsiveness and accountability" within government agencies, especially in frontline agencies.

"Reinstating it without robust performance systems risks degrading services precisely when economically stressed citizens need government most," he said.

This now begs the question: Is bringing back the WFH setup the right response to the fuel crisis in the Philippines?

The pros and cons

Amber Morales, a WFH marketing associate who follows a hybrid setup, said that being able to work remotely has been "really helpful" amid the rising fuel prices.

"I was able to save money that's supposedly for my office commute and allocate it instead [to] things that matter, like my diet and health, travel, and savings," she explained.

In a way, her savings also help her buy groceries—which she noted are also hiking in price—in advance. Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association president Steven Cua said on March 17 that prices of basic and prime commodities are still stable, but this may change when manufacturers have to purchase new raw materials at higher rates.

"In a country that doesn't prioritize public mass transportation and where the roads are congested with cars to cater to the elite, I would definitely choose my peace of waking up five to ten mins before my working shift rather than waking up two hours before just to endure long hours of traffic; fight your way with other commuters who, just like you, are also barely surviving their workday to go to the office," she said.

For Jonane Quiambao, a human resources business partner and content creator behind HR Rant with Nae on TikTok, a remote setup is "one of the most immediate and practical ways to ease the financial burden on employees."

"Beyond cost savings, it also gives employees back valuable time, which can improve productivity and overall well-being," she said.

What are its cons?

Amid its benefits, Morales admitted that sometimes, there's no clear separation between work and home life with remote setups, and there's a lack of social interaction with your colleagues.

"When you have already logged out, and it's time for you to sleep on your bed, you can't do that anymore because your mind is already active since you associated your bed [with] a working space. It can result in someone making their work their life, which is what we don't want as we maximize the WFH setup," she said.

Quiambao also noted that companies may face challenges in maintaining visibility in performance, ensuring collaboration, and keeping employees engaged.

Are WFH, carpooling the answer to the fuel issue?

Transport economist Jedd Ugay said that wider adoption of WFH can ease transport demand as it can "free up road capacity for those who really need it."

"From a supply perspective, less travel volume also slows how fast we consume fuel, which can help slow down price increases and reduce the risk of running empty," he said.

Nevertheless, he underscored that "it is not an end-all be-all solution," and that it is only part of the solution, as it can only be applicable to certain groups.

"There needs to be a wider suite of solutions that work together," he said. "Carpooling helps a bit, but improving public transport would make a much bigger difference. We saw this during COVID... that was the perfect moment to invest in better transit so we’d be more prepared for situations like this."

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board have proposed implementing carpooling to help motorists and commuters amid the rising pump prices. The guidelines have yet to be finalized, however, but authorities aim to roll them out after the Holy Week.

Fellow transport economist Robert Siy noted that carpooling is a "relatively weak response" to the national energy emergency.

"Carpooling may improve the productivity and economic impact of car use, but it serves only those who have access to cars and carpools; In the end, carpooling may be used as the justification for preserving and prioritizing existing road space for private cars, which is the wrong thing to do," he said.

He added that it would be better to prioritize road space for more efficient and fuel-efficient modes, such as walking, cycling, and public transport. 

"This is the message we need to hear from the highest levels of government, including from MMDA. The vast majority of Filipinos do not have access to a car or carpool," Siy stressed.

"The response to the fuel crisis should be about preserving the supply of public transport and making active transport as safe and attractive as possible," he continued.

LTFRB Chairman Vigor Mendoza reported on Monday that there are 30,000 fewer cars on EDSA since the price hikes, but the number of commuters increased. Foot traffic in the Parañaque Integrated Terminal exchange reach 180,000 a day from 160,000 a day.

Siy suggested creating protected bike lanes and sidewalks out of the full vehicle lane on all major roads in all towns and cities, as well as creating "pop-up lanes" within the next few weeks.

"In the coming budget cycle, these pop-up lanes should be made permanent and high quality so that we can have more mobile, livable, healthy, and sustainable communities," Siy said.

The Philippines is currently facing severe fuel price hikes as a result of the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Iran had closed the Strait of Hormuz to most traffic, cutting off about a quarter of the world's sea-borne oil supply. This, in retaliation for the continuous attacks from the US and Israel, which began on Feb. 28, 2026.