MANILA, Philippines — Transport Group PISTON has called out the government and oil companies following a four consecutive week of oil price hikes in the country.
According to PISTON National President Mody Floranda, the government ‘“has failed” to curb the “big three” oil firms in the country that add up to the burden of the Filipino masses.
“Despite inflation trending upward and [the] rising cost of living causing widespread crisis, Shell, Caltex, and Petron continue to raise oil prices—the fourth consecutive increase in the past weeks,” he said.
Chevron Philippines Inc. (Caltex), Petron Corp., Seaoil Philippines Corp., and Shell Pilipinas Corp. announced they will increase prices per liter by P1.60 for gasoline, P0.65 for diesel, and P0.60 for kerosene.
Cleanfuel, Petro Gazz, and Unioil Petroleum Philippines Inc. will also raise prices by the same amounts. These changes will take effect at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, July 9, except for Cleanfuel, which will adjust prices at 4:01 p.m. the same day.
“The oil cartel routinely justifies price hikes by citing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and between Russia and Ukraine. However, the Marcos regime actively colludes with them, further burdening the already suffering masses through VAT and excise taxes on petroleum products,” Floranda said.
The latest price hikes match the Department of Energy’s projections, which cited Middle East tensions, large U.S. withdrawals, and high summer fuel demand.
Last week, firms increased prices per liter by P0.95 for gasoline, P0.65 for diesel, and P0.35 for kerosene.
Additionally, PISTON is urging transport workers and commuters to stage protests ahead of the upcoming state of the nation address, demanding government control over the country’s oil industry.
