Another Hike in Fuel Prices Expected, Local Firms Urged to Implement Measures

Local oil firms are being asked by the Department of Energy (DOE) to implement measures that would alleviate the impact of successive increases in fuel prices on consumers. Among these is the enforcement of price hikes on a staggered basis, noted DOE Oil Industry Management Bureau Assistant Director Rodela Romero.

“Patuloy ‘yung panawagan ng Department of Energy sa ating mga oil companies kung gumawa ng paraan para hindi naman matindi ang tama sa ating mga consumers,” explained Romero. (“The appeal of the Department of Energy continues for oil companies to look into ways to lessen the impact on our consumers.”)

As of Tuesday last week, the 10th consecutive week of rising costs, local oil firms increased the prices per liter of gasoline by ₱3.60, diesel by ₱5.85, and kerosene by ₱4.10. Based on data gathered by the DOE as of February 22, a total net increase of ₱8.75 per liter for gasoline, ₱10.85 per liter for diesel, and ₱9.55 per liter for kerosene is projected in year-to-date adjustments. Pump prices are also expected to soar further with gasoline increasing by ₱8.28 per liter and diesel by ₱12.72 per liter within the week.

“Kung ikukumpara mo ‘yung trading nitong nakaraang linggo versus the two weeks before, ‘yung comparison natin week-on-week talagang malaki iyong sinipa nitong linggo na ito,” Romero added. (“If you compare the trading this week versus the trading two weeks before, the comparison is on a week-on-week basis, the movement was really big this week.”)

A ₱2.5 billion subsidy has already been allocated by the government for the benefit of public utility drivers. Drivers have also been offered a service contracting program by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), where they will be paid in exchange for providing services to commuters for free.

However, nationwide mass action is set to begin on March 15 wherein members of the National Public Transport Coalition are planning to suspend trips as fuel prices continue to increase, according to Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection president Ariel Inton. “The National Public Transport Coalition is made up of about 30 associations. Ito ay hindi lang mga (The coalition does not only comprise) jeep, taxi, bus, but it also includes trucks, delivery trikes, motorcycle taxis,” elaborated Inton.

“Ang pinagkasunduan doon is not really a transport strike, but a tigil-pasada. In other words, parang passive, hindi na sila bibyahe dahil ang kanilang tingin ay bumyahe man sila ay lugi,” he added. “Parang negosyo ‘yan, bakit mo bubuksan ang isang negosyo kung hindi ka kikita?”

(“What we have agreed upon is not really a transport strike, but halting trips. In other words, it is like a passive action, they will not ply their routes anymore because they think it will cost them more. It’s like doing business, why would you open it if you will not earn?”)

It is still unclear when this action of public utility drivers will last, but it has been suggested that they would cancel their plan should lawmakers pass the appropriate measures — such as the suspension of fuel excise taxes — to protect the transport sector. The transport group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (Piston) will also be holding a protest rally in opposition to the price hikes.

Sources: GMA News, CNN PH