Latest news with #PISTON
GMA Network
24-06-2025
- Automotive
- GMA Network
Transport groups: Fuel subsidy not enough amid big-time oil price hike
Transport groups welcomed the government fuel subsidy in the face of this week's big-time oil price hike but said this is not enough to allay concerns about the future of their jobs and the possible increase in the cost of basic commodities. In Bernadette Reyes' report on 24 Oras on Monday, motorists endured long lines to fill up their fuel tanks before the increased prices kicked in on Tuesday morning. A number of gas stations ran out of fuel stocks several hours before the first installment of this week's big-time oil price hike. Several pumps in Quezon City ran out of unleaded gasoline and diesel, with only more expensive premium gas left. Fuel subsidy Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation said the government's fuel subsidy for buses, taxis, UV Express, TNVS, ride hailing services and delivery vehicles will also include unconsolidated jeepneys. This will be managed by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) will manage the fuel subsidy for tricycles. Jeepney driver Boy Dingcong welcomed the news, noting the difficulties in traffic and the lack of passengers. TNVS driver Elmer Caduyac said the fuel subsidy is a big help. Some transport groups express gratitude for the fuel subsidy but hopes some problems from before would not be repeated. Obet Martin, the national president of Pasang Masda, said some cards issued by the Landbank did not contain funds. Despite the announcement of the fuel subsidy, the group PISTON proceeded with its protest action, demanding long term solutions as they claimed the subsidy would only last a few days. The group threatened its members would stop operating if diesel reaches P60 per liter. 'Hindi lamang sa NCR kundi sa buong bansa. Dahil siya naman ang Pangulo ng ating bansa puede sya maglabas ng executive order na isuspinde yung usapin ng mataas na buwis sa produktong petrolyo sa ilalim ng VAT at excise tax sa langis,' said PISTON national president Mody Floranda. (Not just in Metro Manila but the whole country. Since he is President of the country he could issue an executive order to suspend the high taxes on petroleum products under the Value Added Tax and excise tax on oil.) But according to the Department of Energy, it is beyond their hands or power to do so. 'Wala po tayo sa lugar. Iyan ay gawain at wisdom na panggagalingan po ng Congress,' said Director Rino Abad of the DOE - Oil Industry Management Bureau. (That is beyond falls within the authority and wisdom of Congress.) ''Pag-uusapan 'yan kung saka-sakali, kung ano ang magiging epekto niyan. Dahil kapag nawala 'yang P400 billion collection revenue ng gobyerno, ano ho ang ipapalit?', he added. (That would be discussed in any event, of what the effects would be. If the P400 billion collection revenue is lost, what would replace it?) Currently, Abad said the DOE is continuing to look for programs and work with oil companies to curb the effects of rising price of petroleum that include providing discount promos. Aside from motorists, both consumers and vendors are concerned about the possible increase in the price of basic commodities such as food. —RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
22-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Economist says fuel subsidy not the answer to oil price hikes
An economist said that fuel subsidies are not the solution to oil price hikes, amid a massive price increase expected this week. President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. earlier said that the government will be providing fuel subsidies in response to fuel price increases seen as a result of the instability in the Middle East. The Department of Transportation said it is already preparing the guidelines for the subsidies. In Mav Gonzales's report on 24 Oras Weekend, economist and former Department of Social Welfare and Development undersecretary Emmanuel Leyco urged the government to develop contingency plans, especially if the conflict in the region persists. 'Mauubos ang kaban ng bayan kapag tayo ay tuloy-tuloy sa pamamahagi ng ayuda. At hindi pa ito ang katapusan ng pagtaas ng presyo ng fuel… Kailangan magkaroon ng contingency plan ang pamahalaan kung papaano makakapagbigay ng tulong na hindi masyado gagalawin ang ating mga buwis, nang hindi na papataasin o kaya bigyan ng subsidiya 'yung tamang sektor,' he said. (The country's funds will be depleted if we keep on handing out ayuda. This won't be the final increase in fuel prices…The government needs to have a contingency plan on how we will be able to provide help without causing an increase in taxes or to provide subsidies for the right sectors.) Transport group PISTON, meanwhile, said it is looking into requesting a further fare increase. The group also expressed the belief that the prices of oil are just being manipulated by businessmen. 'Wala pa man pong nagaganap na giyera ay tuloy-tuloy na pong tumataas yung presyo ng petrolyo dito sa ating bansa… Malaking dagok ito, malaking pahirap… Sa bawa't pagtaas at paggalaw ng presyo ng petrolyo ay kaakibat niyan ay yung pagtaas ng mga pangunahing bilihin,' said PISTON national resident Mody Floranda. (Even before the war started, fuel prices have been increasing here in our country… It's a big blow, a big burden. And with every increase and movement on fuel prices comes the increase in prices of basic necessities.) 'Kailangan po natin bulabugin ang administrasyon, si Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, na umaksyon siya at maglabas siya ng isang order na isuspindi muna yung implementation ng mataas na buwis sa produktong petrolyo,' he added. (We need to call the attention of the administration, President Bongbong Marcos, to act and implement an order to suspend the implementation of higher taxes on petroleum products.) The group will also conduct a protest at Philcoa, Quezon City on Monday and Tuesday, but clarified that it will not be not a transport strike. Earlier, the Department of Energy said that it met with oil companies to ask the increase in oil prices to be gradual. The Department of Transportation also said it is prepared to distribute fuel subsidies to Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) drivers. Industry sources claimed that the price will increase at around P4.90 to P5.20 per liter of diesel and P3.20 to P3.50 per liter of gasoline. — Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/BM, GMA Integrated News
