A group of drivers and operators are calling on the government to discount petroleum due to a series of oil price hikes.
According to Melencio Vargas, president of the Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines, they are already complaining about the continuous increase in fuel prices.
“Para hindi masaktan ‘yung aming mananakay dahil pandemic ngayon, sana po magbigay sila ng diskwento. ‘Yun ang pinaka the best na gawin ngayon ng gobyerno kung tutulong po sila sa amin,” he said on Teleradyo, Wednesday.
On Tuesday, there was a huge increase in the product’s price, the 6th consecutive week with an oil price hike.
Within six weeks, the price of diesel per liter has reached P5.65, gasoline P4.10, and kerosene P5.30.
For Vargas, the proposed fare hike is not timely due to the pandemic.
“Ayaw ko po dahil masasaktan ang taongbayan at mananakay namin dahil pandemic po. Hindi po tamang magtaas ng pamasahe kaya magkokonsulta ako sa malalaking transport group,” he said.
He said that only P300 was returned to the families of the drivers due to the pandemic.
Drivers call for fuel discounts amid series of oil price hikes
“Itong pandemic na ‘to wala naman pong kinikita ngayon ang mga drayber kasi survival na lang nila, pangkain nila dahil unang-una hindi kami puwedeng magpuno,” he said.
Vargas added, “Nakakaawa po talaga ang kalagayan ng transport ngayon at wala pong kumakalinga sa amin.”
Transport groups have warned that they will push for a fare hike due to the continuing rise in oil prices.
According to Pasang Masda President Obet Martin, their group will be forced to request a fare increase when there is another oil price hike next week.
“Mapi-puwersa na kaming mag-file ng petition for fare increase. Ito’y masakit sa aming puso at isip pero kailangang maunawaan kami ng ating mananakay, ‘di na namin makakaya,” said Martin.
Aside from transport, the electricity bill is also due to a series of oil price hikes because many plants use liquid fuel or diesel, said Laban Konsyumer.
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