DOE working with DOTr to assist PUV operators, truckers amid fuel price hikes

The Department of Energy on Monday said it is coordinating with the Department of Transportation to provide assistance to public utility vehicle operators and truckers amid the fuel price hikes.

“Sa DOE, DOTr, LTFRB, nag-uusap po kami kung paano makatutulong sa public utility (vehicle drivers and operators) para nang sa ganoon ay hindi na po magtaas ng pamasahe,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said in a Dobol B TV interview.

(In DOE, DOTr, LTFRB, we have been discussing how we can help the public utility vehicle drivers and operators so that they do not have to increase fare.)

He also acknowledged the impact of the fuel price hikes on the possible increase in the prices of goods as the truckers that transport them to markets may also increase the rates of their services.

Earlier, transport groups have agreed to suspend their fare hike petition amid the fuel subsidies to be given by the government amid the continued increase in pump prices of petroleum products.

According to Cusi, the fuel prices have gone up since January this year, from around $50 to $96 dollars per barrel.

The DOE earlier proposed suspending the oil excise tax—which accumulated to P6 per liter for diesel and P10 for gasoline under the TRAIN Law—in light of the fuel price hikes.

But, the Department of Finance (DOF) pointed out that the government will lose P131.4 billion in revenues that can be used to fund pandemic measures due to the proposed suspension of the tax.

Aside from suspending the oil excise, the DOE also wants the Congress to amend the Oil Deregulation Law to allow the government to intervene amid the continuous spike in petroleum prices.—AOL, GMA News