Statement of Malacañang amid the Set Oil Price Hike in PH
MALACAÑANG – Palace press officer undersecretary Claire Castro warned the owners of gas stations over fuel cost overpricing.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is currently in New York where he is set to meet an official of the United Nations to talk about the escalating tension in the Middle East. It does not only affect the countries involved but as well as other nations like the Philippines.
Fuel prices in the Philippines are climbing once again amid the Middle East war. The effect is hitting hard across daily lives of countless Filipinos who transports to work or school everyday. The pump prices previously rose with gasoline cost going up by ₱1.90 per liter, diesel by ₱1.20, and kerosene by ₱1.50.
The forecasts for oil price hike this week is even more alarming. Diesel cost is expected to spike by nearly ₱20 per liter and gasoline by over ₱10, pushing costs to levels Filipinos have never faced in history. Many vehicle owners already got their tanks fully loaded.
The Middle East war has disrupted global oil supply and sent fuel prices soaring. Several analysts believe that the situation allegedly leaves the Philippines with very little room for intervention as the country relies big on imported fuel.
Malacañang already called for emergency powers for Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to reduce fuel excise tax. The call is made for the Congress after the bigtime oil price hike set on Tuesday, March 10.
Currently, amid the expected big time oil price hike, jeepney and bus operators are already preparing to call for a raise in fares — which would affect countless commuters. Thus, the impact of the situation towards ordinary people is immediate.
Recently, Malacañang also warned the owners of gas stations who would take advantage of the situation. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, the authorities already mandate 54 business owners to explain the alleged increase in their fuel costs ahead of the set hike on Tuesday.
“Hindi po tayo kinakailangang maghatakan pababa. At sa mga tao po, hindi po dapat kayo magsamantala. Ang gusto po ng Pangulo ay magtulungan tayo. Kapag kayo po ay nagsamantala, meron po kayong kalalagyan. Kayo po ay madedemanda at maaaring matanggalan po kayo ng pagkakataon na kayo ay makapagnegosyo,” the Malacañang press official said.
Furthermore, based on the report, Malacañang press officer Usec. Claire Castro also reiterated that what the President wants is for the Filipinos to help each other. She stressed that those who won’t adhere to it may face charges.
“So tandaan niyo po, ang sabi po ng Pangulo, magtulungan tayo. Pero pag hindi po kayo tumulong at kayo po ay nang-abuso sa kahinaan po na nangyayari ngayon, kayo po ay maaaring mademanda at may kaukulang parusa po ‘yan,” the Malacañang Usec. added.
Recently, Malacañang responded to the criticisms of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte on the alleged slow response of the government in repatriating Filipinos in the war-affected countries.