Manibela, PISTON seek junking of Oil Deregulation Law, fuel excise tax

Transport groups Manibela and Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) on Saturday clarified that they were not seeking a fare hike, but the junking of the Oil DeregulationLaw and the excise tax on fuel.

“Ang panawagan namin, ibasura na ang Oil Deregulation Law at excise tax sa langis,” said Manibela President Mar Valbuena in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

“May memorandum circular ang LTFRB na automatic magkakaroon ng fare adjusment kapag may paggalaw sa presyo ng langis,” he added.

PISTON also reiterated that rollbacks on oil and fuel taxes would be helpful for drivers and operators.

“Sa ngayon, halos P250 kada araw ang nawawalang kita ng mga driver dahil sa mataas na presyo ng petrolyo... Kung kami ay nakaka-30 liters per day sa loob ng 25 days, halos 7,000 pesos ang nawawalang kita sa loob ng 25 days.” PISTON National President Mody Floranda said on Super Radyo dzBB.

According to Manibela, the provision of an adequate fuel subsidy at the soonest possible time would be the best solution to the issue.

Meanwhile, transport group Pasang Masda on Tuesday planned to ask the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board for a fare hike of one peso as a solution to the petroleum price increase.

"'Yung P1 [na hirit na taas-pasahe] ay provisional increase," Pasang Masda President Obet Martin said.

"Kapag nag-normalize na ang [presyo ng] petroleum products, ire-recall din ang pisong provisional increase," he added.

Oil Industry Management Bureau Assistant Director Rodela Romero however told GMA News Online on Friday that the prices of diesel may have no adjustment or will have a rollback of P0.20 per liter this coming week. — DVM, GMA Integrated News