Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 26) — Leaders of the House of Representatives are asking the so-called “big three” oil players—Shell Pilipinas Corporation, Petron Corporation, and Chevron Philippines—to increase the amount of fuel discounts to public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and even include private car owners in the coverage as a way of easing the impact of soaring prices.
House leaders appear to have become lukewarm to Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez’s earlier proposal to suspend the excise tax on fuel after the Department of Finance (DOF) opposed the idea, warning that as much as P15 billion in revenues will be lost until the end of the year.
In a consultative meeting with oil industry players held Tuesday, lawmakers told representatives of the oil companies to improve the discounts they offer to consumers.
ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo said the meager discount offered by oil firms at present is no longer sufficient.
“Ang pakiusap na lang ng Kongreso dagdagan ninyo yung discounts na pinamimigay ninyong Big Three. Baka pwede ninyong doblehin o dagdagan ng piso, ₱2 sa gasolina, diesel. Malaking maitutulong,” he said
“Tapos baka pwedeng isama niyo na ang private sector, yung may sasakyan. Kasi hindi naman lahat ng tao nagco-commute,” Tulfo added.
[Translation: Congress is asking that the Big Three add to the discounts you are giving. Maybe double it or add ₱1, ₱2 to gasoline and diesel. It would be a big help. And then maybe you could also include the private sector, those who have their own vehicles. Because not everyone commutes.]
Four fuel companies currently offer discounts ranging from ₱0.50 to ₱3 per liter for drivers of public utility vehicles, based on a list from the Department of Finance.
Tulfo said the House will consider reviewing the law requiring bioethanol to be added to the fuel mix sold commercially to further bring costs down.With Congress set to go on a month-long recess on September 30, Tulfo said House leaders will no longer meet with oil industry players. The meeting between the private sector and lawmakers started last week to discuss possible solutions to the soaring fuel costs.Tulfo said lawmakers will await the fuel companies’ decision on the House’s suggestion, with the warning that their failure to cooperate might result in tougher measures to be taken against them.
“We’ll just wait for their decision kasi alam naman nila, kahit si Congressman Marcoleta, nag-warning po ang Speaker na pag di kayo tumulong, may mga actions na gagawin” he said.
“Isa nga diyan inilatag ni Congressman Marcoleta during our first meeting, pwedeng i-review uli ang Oil Deregulation Law. Mas mabigat yun. Pag niregulate natin ang law ng oil deregulation. Pag ibinasura yan mas aaray sila. So meron pang weapons tayo,” Tulfo added.
