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Oil price hike threatens nation’s lifestyle

BAGUIO CITY, Benguet (Sept. 6) — The continuous oil price increase is truly threatening the nation’s lifestyle. Now, with the upcoming implementation of the 10% Expanded Value Added Tax (E-VAT) in oil prices, the country is yet facing a new dilemma.

On September 2, members of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) expressed their rage by simultaneously throwing paint bombs at the offices of the oil moguls, Shell, Caltex and Petron in Makati. In a news release, Nitz Gonzaga of the KMU Women’s Department said that the implementation of E-VAT is just an opportunity for the large oil companies to pump up their revenues without taking into consideration the burden that will be added to the consumers. With E-VAT, oil price will increase by another P3 to P6 per liter. Gonzaga was also disgusted with Shell Executive Bobby Kanapi and his colleagues wondering how these people could still get a good night’s sleep despite the anger of millions of impoverished Filipinos whose hopes of a pleasant and contented life they have snatched away. The working people’s hard-earned money is rapidly sucked dry due to the inevitable effects of the OPH.

“Pure greed for more profits is the lifeblood of these oil companies. These are heartless and without consideration to the indigent consumers,” lamented Gonzaga.

With the OPH, none but the insatiable oil companies are exempted from its irrational effects. In an interview with Carlito Wayas, president of Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) Metro Baguio, he explained how the OPH is affecting the nation - from the consumers, to the drivers and small-scale operators. The 14-hour labor of drivers is devalued due to oil price increases. According to him, a driver’s or an operator’s earnings from a day’s work will go to the maintenance of the vehicle and the refilling of the gas tank. The value of spare parts, fluids and other materials needed for the maintenance will also increase depending on the OPH.

Non-oil consumers are also affected because an oil price increase automatically jacks up the cost of city services and the prices of commodities and products. However, according to PISTON, the automatic fare hike is not entirely the solution as this would also be unfair for the people who endure the persistent fare hikes while their incomes remain at a stand still and the prices of commodities are escalating.

“No pay kayat tayo koma nga ingato ti pasahe gaputa tuluy-tuloy ti panag-ngato ti presyo ti langis, kasapulan a balansien tayo ti kapasidad dagiti umili nga agbayad. Ta ammo tayo met, ken uray ti PISTON, ket agpanpanawagan ken supsuportaranna ti dawat dagiti umili para iti nayon a sweldo,” (Though we want to increase fare because of the continuous increase in oil price, we should also balance the capacity of the consumers to pay and because PISTON is supporting the call of workers for wage increase) Wayas said.

According to Wayas, government must have the initiative and political will to abate both the increase in oil prices as well as the prices of basic goods and commodities.

Primarily, he said, it is imperative for government to trash the oil deregulation law. Once this is abolished, the government will regain control of the oil pricing. It will also bring about a “centralized procurement” where the government will be the sole in negotiator with foreign oil companies and thus control the importation of oil. This would also give the government a chance to monitor oil consumption in every part of the country to control the distribution and the oil pricing. He also said that another big step for the government is to nationalize the oil industry. This way, the country can reclaim from foreign developers the country’s vast natural oil resources in Palawan and Cotabato. If developed under Filipino control, the oil fields would be able to supply all the country’s oil needs at a cheaper price. However, all this, as Wayas puts it, is possible only through the government’s own will and determination.

Hence, there is a need to change the country’s system of government. Thus, there has been a collective effort from the different sectors to express protest.

The noise barrage that started last Sept. 3 aims to encourage more people to strengthen the resistance against unjust OPH and price increase of basic goods and commodities. This action, according to PISTON, is connected to the call for the ousting of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and change in the government system. The noise barrage or the “12 o’ clock” habit will start before noon where each sector uses different tactics to express their noise as a sign of protest. The “blow your horn” call aims to persuade passing vehicles to blow their horns to show their support. This will be a daily activity until Sept. 11 and will culminate on Sept. 12, the National Day of Transportation Strike. # Ge-Ann Malicdem, Johnny Fialen, Joel Capulong and Isagani Libongen for NORDIS

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