A public transport group is calling on the government to junk the Oil Deregulation Law and the excise tax on fuels, following the oil price hike on petroleum products.
RH Jecelle Ricafort reported on Tuesday, August 5, that the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide or PISTON, performed a noise barrage around Roxas Blvd. in Pasay City.
PISTON National Coordinator Cerilo Latoreno said that around 50 jeepney drivers participated in the noise barrage. Although the southwest monsoons and typhoons had recently damaged several areas in the country, PISTON members said this did not stop oil companies from implementing the oil price hike.
“Katatapos lang ng bagyo—ng sunod-sunod na bagyo—hindi pa kami nakakaahon, ito nanaman. Hinahambalos nanaman kami ng presyo ng petrolyo,” Latoreno expressed.
The transport group is hoping that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will take action on the transport sector’s grievances, especially with junking the Oil Deregulation Law and the suspension of the excise tax on fuels.
“Ang panawagan namin, ibasura ang Oil Deregulation Law [at] alisin excise tax sa langis. Sana naman po dinggin ang aming panawagan dahil mayroon pa siyang [Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr.] tatlong taon na natitira,” Latoreno said.
In addition, the PISTON National Coordinator claimed that once the administration provides a solution for the expensive prices of fuels and petroleum products, then the prices of goods would also decrease.
However, instead of focusing on such issues, Latoreno pointed out that the grievances of ordinary citizens are being overshadowed by political rivalry and the like.
