Other industries are affected by the continuing rise in the price of petroleum products, so some lawmakers have called for a price freeze.
Trucking services are one of the main culprits in the steady increase in the price of petroleum products.
It is said that many members of the Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines have stopped operating.
“Ang mga trucks kasi normally na kinukuha ‘yan ng mga operator only on utang basis sa mga financing, sa bangko, at nagbabayad kami on a monthly amortization so sa hirap ng biyahe sa port at sa hirap ng operations at sa taas ng expenses na na-incur namin along the way hindi na ma-sustain ‘yung amortization,” said Maria Zapata, director of the group.
They are asking for a P10 per liter subsidy from the government.
According to some consumers, they can already feel the high price of goods.
“Ramdam na ramdam ko! Masyadong mataas lahat ng bilihin. Dati ang gasul P700, ngayon P800 na… Tipid-tipid na lang,” said Violeta Olero, a consumer.
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Price freeze urged amid oil price hikes
The Makabayan bloc recently filed in the House a proposal to impose a price freeze on crucial products included in the Price Act, such as rice, bread, canned goods, pork, beef and chicken, and even detergents.
According to Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, only basic necessities and prime commodities can be subject to a price freeze.
“Ang puwede talagang gawin ng Congress mag-motu proprio at alamin kung gaano ‘yung itinaas nito at gumawa ng paraan o necessary arrangements with the executive dahil ang nagpapatupad naman ng price freeze ay DTI (Department of Trade and Industry),” said Brosas.
Even fishers are affected now.
According to the fishers group Pamalakaya, from P300 per trip, each fisherman now earns only P120.
The Laban Konsyumer group, on the other hand, proposed first to suspend the collection of the excise tax on crude oil and repeal the Oil Deregulation Law.
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