by: Vanessa Bugtong
Motorists are bracing for tighter budgets again this week as fuel companies announce another round of price adjustments.
This comes as transport group PISTON and other progressive organizations held a protest in Baguio City to oppose the series of fuel price increases.
Jeepney driver Joel said he is close to giving up driving after three straight weeks of rising fuel prices left him with almost no earnings.
He said he spent around 3,000 pesos for diesel that day alone, enough only for one full day of driving. “There’s barely anything left. I can’t even buy betel nut anymore,” he said.
He believes it is time to adjust fares so drivers can cope. “Yes, because prices keep going up. How are we supposed to survive?” he added.
Commuters, however, were divided on the idea of fare hikes.
Student Joy said she was fine with it “if there’s really a good reason,” while another student, Jenny, said drivers also face hardships. “Some don’t even eat just to reach their quota, so it’s understandable,” she said. Another student, Jamie, disagreed, saying students also shoulder many expenses.
Delivery rider Jonas said he has no choice but to adjust. “Even if we complain, it won’t change anything. These increases always come from above,” he said.
PISTON and several groups staged a protest in front of a gasoline station in Baguio City to raise their concerns.
Mike Cabangon of Kilos Mamamayan said fuel price hikes have a domino effect. “It’s not just drivers who suffer. Prices of goods will also go up,” he explained.
PISTON national president Mody Floranda added that removing the excise tax and VAT would help ease the burden on consumers and drivers.
Fuel companies are set to implement another adjustment on November 25, an increase of 60 centavos per liter of diesel and 1.00 pesos to 1.30 pesos per liter of kerosene, while gasoline prices will drop by 20 centavos per liter.
This marks the fifth consecutive week of diesel price hikes and the first gasoline rollback for November.
