Manila, Philippines – Urgent action, not band-aid solutions.
These are the calls of various groups representing various sectors of the society towards the Marcos administration amid the oil crisis faced by the country, as an effect of the war in the Middle East.
On Monday, progressive sectoral groups, led by Transportation group PISTON, held a press conference calling out the administration’s slow response amid the increased oil prices.
Last week, prices of fuel products spiked largely, heavily impacted by ongoing tension in the Middle East affecting supply and demand of oil in the global market.
Ang as the war progresses, oil prices are expected to increase more.
PISTON president Mody Floranda bared how the continuous rise in petrol prices heavily affects drivers and operators of Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) whose living is affected.
Floranda argued that even the P5000 fuel subsidy is not enough to recover the income lost due to high costs of fuel.
This week, gasoline prices are expected to increase by P12.90-P16.60 per liter, P20.40-P23.90 per liter in diesel, while P6.90- P8.90 per liter in kerosene.
With this, the group presses the government to implement concrete actions to address the crisis that affects every Filipino citizen.
This includes cancellation of excise tax and value added tax in fuel, junking of the oil deregulation law, condemning US aggression in the Middle East, and institutionalization of the oil industry in the Philippines.
These are the same calls that the group will carry on the nationwide protest that they will launch on March 19, alongside other transportation groups and groups from the workers, youth, women, commuters, consumers’ sector.
Adrian Reign of PARA Commuter’s Network believes that like drivers and operators, commuters also carry the burden of the soaring oil prices, as this may lead to a fare hike.
The group expressed support to the nationwided protest, calling for protection of commuters from the impacts of the jigh oil prices.
The consumer and workers’ sector also supports the upcoming protests, seeking early implementation of regulations that will ensure that prices of goods won’t be affected by the crisis.
On Makabayan bloc in the Congress’ end, the group likewise joined the calls, emphasizing that granting the president emergency powers is not the solution.
They added that the Congress should focus on the quick passage of related bills that will actually address the crisis.
In line with the protest on March 19, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan encouraged the public to join the calls and demand immediate action and relief from the government over the crisis.