Metro Manila, Philippines – Senate crisis committee chairman Sherwin Gatchalian is still pushing for the suspension of excise tax on diesel and the implementation of fuel rationing, despite recent fuel price rollbacks and supplies trickling in.
In an interview with NewsWatch Plus on Tuesday, April 21, Gatchalian said the second consecutive big-time rollback in diesel prices offers little relief to public transport drivers, as diesel remains above ₱100 per liter and fares have not increased.
He said he understands the executive branch’s concern over potential revenue losses worth billions, but noted that public welfare may carry greater weight.
“Pre-war until now pareho pa rin ang pamasahe. Dito naiipit ang ating mga tsuper, ang ating mga drivers. Kaya ako, ang aking mungkahi, tuloy pa rin yung suspension ng diesel para makabawi at ma-minimize yung lugi ng mga drivers natin,” he said.
[Translation: From pre-war up to now, fares have remained the same. Our drivers are being squeezed here. That is why my recommendation is to continue the suspension of the diesel excise tax so we can recover and minimize the losses of our drivers.]
Transport groups are calling for a ₱10 wage hike. Gatchalian said this requires careful study, as it could significantly affect inflation.
“Ganun pa man, hindi rin natin pwedeng patagalin na hindi taasan. Dahil kung tatagal itong gera at hindi tayo magbibigay ng tulong sa mga drivers natin at hindi mabilis yung – mabagal yung pagbibigay natin ng tulong, talagang walang choice kung hindi magtaas ng pamasahe,” he said.
[Translation: However, we also cannot allow the situation to drag on without fare adjustments. If this war drags on and we do not provide assistance to our drivers—and if aid is slow—then they will have no choice but to increase fares.]
On supply, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the country’s fuel stock has been extended to 52 days. She earlier told Gatchalian in a Senate hearing that confirmed deliveries could reach up to 64 days, but Gatchalian said this is still not reassuring.
“Ako hindi pa rin kampante dahil hindi tayo pwedeng 50 days or 52 days. Dapat ang ating tinitignan dito firm deliveries after 52 days at yan ang nawawala ngayon. Walang maka-assure sa atin na tuloy-tuloy yung delivery ng petrolyo,” he said.
[Translation: I am still not at ease because we cannot operate on just 50 or 52 days of supply. What we need to look at are firm, guaranteed deliveries beyond 52 days. That assurance is currently lacking. No one can guarantee continuous fuel deliveries.]
He said fuel rationing remains a possible solution, but noted that the Department of Energy has yet to respond to his proposal.
He said the Senate PROTECT (Proactive Response and Oversight for Timely and Effective Crisis Strategy) Committee is closely monitoring negotiations between the United States and Iran and may call another hearing next week if conditions worsen, in order to formulate additional policy recommendations.
The next hearing will also examine allegations of profiteering among oil companies, Gatchalian said. He added that the government’s decision to set a range for allowable price adjustments suggests that the executive itself sees possible signs of profiteering.
“Dahil may price cap, meron silang hinala na may profiteering o sobrang laki yung kita. Kaya nakita nila may room pa to put a price cap. So with that in mind, yan rin magiging topic namin sa susunod na hearings,” he said.
[Translation: Because there is a price cap, it means they suspect profiteering or excessive earnings. That is why they saw room to impose a price cap. With that in mind, this will also be part of our discussion in the next hearings.]
Gatchalian also noted uncertainty over when diesel prices could return to pre-war levels of around ₱55 per liter.
