Manila, Philippines – The transport groups Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahang Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) at Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers (MANIBELA) expressed their disapprovement with the P5 per liter oil price hike starting this week.
MANIBELA President Mar Valbuena said that the oil price hike is yet another challenge for drivers and all motor riders.
According to him, motor riders are not the only ones concerned in the issue but it also includes the ordinary citizens.
“Malaking dagok at dagdag pahirap na naman ito sa mga kasamahan nating tsuper sa mga pampublikong sasakyan, sa lahat ng motorista. Lahat tayo apektado rito at ‘yun nga magiging dagdag pasakit na naman ito sa atin lalo’t bukas inaasahan natin na limang piso na namang ang idadagdag dito sa produktong petrolyo,” he said.
Meanwhile, PISTON National president Ka Mody Floranda emphasized that the oil industries are to be blamed for the oil price hike rather than the conflict between Iran and Israel.
He added that, “Hindi giyera ang dahilan kung bakit naging mataas ang presyo ng petrolyo dito sa ating bansa dahil sa kapabayaan mismo ng gobyerno…”
Amidst the rising prices of fuel, the government has already prepared a 2.5 billion fuel subsidy for those who are affected by the hike.
It includes not only the drivers and motor riders but also other vulnerable sectors that need oil in their production.
Valbuena expressed his appreciation to the fuel subsidy while Floranda opposed the said action by the government.
“Nagpapasalamat tayo kay President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at sa ating DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon na kaagad ay naglabas sila ng fuel subsidy para maibsan ang paghihirap ng ating mga kababayan, mga tsuper. At nang sa ganun ay magamit din natin habang mataas ang presyo ng petrolyo,” Valbuena said.
Now, MANIBELA is constantly coordinating with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for a faster issuance of the said subsidy.
On the other hand, PISTON calls for an executive order from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that would suspend high taxes on fuel. | via Shaina Morales, Contributor