by Leo Jay Hilamon
Fuel is essential for the commercial industry and other sectors such as the transportation sector. When its prices jump high, expect that all sectors will be affected. An example of this is the transportation strike initiated by various transport groups to amplify their calls to review the oil deregulation law and make haste in proposing advanced measures to ease their unequivocal mishap situation. The event amassed massive support from the operators and drivers to single out their unified protest in response to the sharp fuel prices that have been increasing. The said protest served as one of the repercussions of the unjustified fuel hike which is, at this point, the government is still mummified in making concrete solutions.
The transportation strike escalated as various transport groups such as Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) and other local groups suspended their transportation activities to bolster their call to the national government to ease the soaring fuel hikes and ameliorate it by giving not only transportation cash allowance but also create a bigger step to bring down the pump prices. On the other hand, Filipino marketgoers find themselves in a precarious situation where they face inevitable mounting prices of goods, commodities, and basic services. The situation further exacerbates as purchasing power of the peso dwindles as prices are much affected by fuel prices climbing contrary to what the government predicted. Although the Marcos administration’s economic team had promised that it would ease the effects of the increasing prices by providing financial assistance to the affected sectors, however, this is still not enough as critics opined that goods and services were also increasing which drops the value of the monetary subsidy.
As expected, commuters were much affected by this transportation strike knowing that busy streets used to be occupied primarily by workers and students who find themselves in a hurry while vehicles were no show. Meanwhile, consumers who expect the market’s low prices are disappointed with swollen prices of agricultural and poultry products as it is directly influenced by transportation fare increases as well as other factors in which fuel is involved. This is true since pump prices do not only affect the transportation sector but also extend to businesses, food, and services. The government keeps regurgitating old litanies as if they already have plans, yet they fail to keep their word as they are stone-headed for not abrogating fuel excise tax and deregulation measures.
We should ask these questions, does the government have plans? If they have, why withhold it? Why not show it to the people and let’s see if these are effective?
This boomerang effect cannot be realized if the government will not heed the call of the people which in the first place they must have done. This transportation strike and inflation of goods and services are a shame not only for the national government.
The Department of Budget and Management announced earlier last March that they allocated four billion pesos for transportation and farmer fuel assistance to mitigate the impacts of soaring oil prices. This is a good move of the national government which at the brink of its least consideration recognizes the burdens of the weary shoulders of these sectors. As much as we want to celebrate this victory, there is a need to step up a bigger leap to alleviate the Filipinos’ suffering.
This might be achieved if the national government will create a strategic road map to how to ease this unfortunate event and extend its arms in helping the most affected sectors especially those who are the poorest of the poor. One of the best solutions for this problem is amending the oil deregulation law which was passed more than 20 years ago aiming for high competition in the oil industry and creating a healthy and bounty production without much interference from the state and which the government had almost lost control. The Department of Energy passed its recommendation to amend this law last year, unfortunately, Congress has yet to reply to this plea. On the other hand, excise tax must be scrapped as it worsens the effects of skyrocketing prices of petroleum products. Financial assistance and fuel discounts must be continued to revitalize the economy as well as help Filipinos to meet each day’s needs.
We hope that despite these challenging times, the government will not abandon its promises and can still deliver timely, relevant, and immediate action. They should heed the call of its people in assuaging the prices of petroleum products. It is the vow of the ensconced in Malacañang to deliver a promising future. This will not certainly achieve if people’s stomachs are aching, the wheels of vehicles are no longer rolling on the streets, and the government is deaf and blind to our dire need.
