Energy Dept. sees diesel, gasoline prices rising

The Department of Energy (DOE) expects pump prices to go up by P1.79 per liter for gasoline and P1.05 per liter for diesel due to the continuing rise of world crude oil prices in the wake of the unrest persisting in the Middle East. But some transport groups suspect that the oil companies have taken undue advantage of the Arab Spring to raise pump prices. “Noong 1998, bago nag-start ang Oil Price Deregulation Law, P2.62/liter lang ang profit margin. Sa gasolina, P1.94/liter ang profit margin. Ngayon… ang kanilang per liter profit margin sa gasolina ay nasa eight pesos," lamented Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON) secretary-general George San Mateo. Considering that they cannot raise fare prices, the public transport groups are calling for a transport strike or tigil pasada this month of September. The last nationwide transport strike was in 2005 and this time the transport groups will go on strike on various issues other than the high fuel prices. “At dito sa strike na ito, sa pag-aaklas na ito, nakapaloob na dito ang EVAT, nakapaloob na dito yung pagtataas ng NLEX toll fee, nakapaloob ‘yung single-ticketing at ‘yung insurance," said Obet Martin, the national president of the jeepney drivers party-list group Pasang Masda.