Skyrocketing prices of essential commodities, especially food, coupled with weekly fuel price hikes are already hurting the average Filipino, especially millions of commuters going to work daily. The transport worker is the most affected, on the verge of losing their jobs, and their measly incomes are insufficient to support a decent living not just in the metro but in rural areas. Malacanãng should already intervene fast, says a commuter group, Pasada.
The Pilipino Society and Development Advocates or PASADA, a commuter and transport workers group, is appealing to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Junior to grant the 2–3-peso fare hike petition of various transport groups. Likewise, in the same vein, Malacañang should already make interventions to arrest the spiraling prices by issuing an order to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to implement a Suggested Retail Price or SRP scheme strictly.
“The weekly fuel price increases, particularly diesel and LPG, are creating uncertainty in the daily lives of our commuters and transport workers. First, thousands of transport workers stand to lose their jobs if operators will go bankrupt and shut down. Second, prices of basic commodities are hurting the purses of everyone, especially commuters who work in the service and labor sectors. Malacañang must already intervene. The situation on the ground is getting extremely worse,” says Ricky Rivera, managing director of PASADA.
It will not hurt, says Rivera, if Malacanãng allocates a monthly fuel subsidy and temporarily suspend the fuel excise tax. Malacanãng can ensure a steady fuel supply by entering into bilateral fuel agreements with oil-producing countries such as Brunei or Saudi Arabia. These initiatives may lower oil prices.
PASADA is also appealing to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board or LTFRB to grant the appeal of transport groups for a 2–3-peso fare hike. Such an increase would allow more public utility vehicles on the road. However, says Pasada, such a hike would not be enough for transport workers if commodities’ prices continue to increase.
“The DTI must do its job correctly by monitoring daily and ensuring that manufacturers and traders follow a Suggested Retail Price (SRP) scheme. Those who will not follow must be charged before the courts. Malacanãng should use its iron fist to protect the welfare of the people,” Rivera adds.
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Pasadacc.com 