Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 4) — PISTON and Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators ng Pilipinas (LTOP) called on the incoming administration to review Republic Act 9479 or the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1998 to help address the unabated fuel price hikes.
The transport groups renewed their plea for amendments to the law, the same day Unioil Petroleum Philippines released a projection for a fresh round of oil price increases.
In a media forum Saturday, PISTON President Mody Floranda pointed out their specific concerns given the situation.
“Dalawa yung ating panawagan. Yung immediate ay amyendahan yung provision ng Oil Deregulation Law at ibasura yung Oil Deregulation Law. Dahil sabi nga natin, isang provision ng batas pinatungan ng iba’t ibang tax sa presyo ng petrolyo,” he explained.
[Translation: We have two appeals to the government. The immediate one is to amend the provision in the Oil Deregulation Law or to junk it all together. As we said, one provision of the law imposes different taxes on petroleum.]
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Floranda said the continued price increase on fuel products shows how industry players are finding ways to exploit current laws for their gain.
The transport group leader questioned why the government has yet to pass amendments to RA 9479, saying that such development will help the Department of Energy (DOE) have more power in regulating oil prices.
“Alam niyo palang nakatali kayo sa provision, bakit hindi kayo mag-propose na amyendahan yung batas? Kasi nawawalan ng silbi yung DOE, monitor lang siya nang monitor pero hindi sila maka-aksyon,” he said.
[Translation: If they (DOE) know that they are bound by the provision, then why don’t they propose amendments to the law? The DOE loses its power since it can merely monitor and can’t do anything when prices go up.]
The DOE earlier said it can only monitor and publish market prices under the said law, which leaves the adjustment to market forces. The agency also tried to make private companies be more transparent by disclosing how they set weekly rates.
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LTOP President Orlando Marquez echoed the call of PISTON to revise what they described as crippling provisions in the law. He also appealed to oil companies to think of the consumers, the Filipino people, who are the ones most affected by these changes.
“Sana itong batas na ito ay marebisa na. Kasi ako hindi naman totally gusto ko maalis yung Oil Deregulation Law dahil meron naman mabuti yang batas sa bansa. Kaso nga lang naaabuso nitong mga mapagsamantalang kumpanya ng langis,” he said.
[Translation: We hope this law will be revised. I personally don’t want this to be junked because the Oil Deregulation Law has some good provisions. However, the law is being abused by oil companies for their profit.]
Apart from amending the Oil Deregulation Law, the groups also appealed to President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to look into the matter regarding Petron and the Malampaya Gas project.
Choosing the next Transport Chief
President-elect Marcos has yet to appoint a Transport Secretary, but one of the names being floated is current Department of Transportation (DOTr) chief Arthur Tugade.
PISTON is one with the position of the National Transport Coalition to reject the reappointment of Tugade.
“Kung gusto niya (Marcos) ng unity, eh di tanggalin niya yung mga lumang nasa gobyerno tulad ni Secretary Tugade. Dahil mula ng naging secretary si Tugade, talagang nagpasan ng hirap ang public transport. Hamon natin kay Bongbong Marcos ay ilagay niya sa DOTR yung galing sa sector ng public transport para alam nila yung kabuuang problemang hinaharap nito,” Floranda said.
[Translation: If he (Marcos) really wants unity, he should remove government people like Scretary Tugade. Ever since he became secretary, the public transport sector has really suffered. Our challenge to Bongbong Marcos is to put people from the public sector in the DOTR, so they know the problems we are facing.]
LTOP agreed on the appeal to appoint experienced leaders from the public transport sector who understand their concerns. The group cited their experience with current officials of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), who for them suggested proposals that brought more problems than solutions.
“Pati yung paglalagay dito sa transportasyon, magsimula DOTR, LTFRB, LTO (Land Transportation Office)…Sana ang ilagay diyan kung iooverhaul man, ay ilagay yung taong mayroong kaalaman,” Marquez said.
[Translation: For appointments in transportation, start with the DOTR, LTFRB and LTO. If they will overhaul the department, they should put people who are knowledgeable in the public transport sector.]
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