PISTON renews call to scrap oil deregulation, fuel taxes

Transport group PISTON (Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide) on Tuesday renewed its call to scrap the oil deregulation law and fuel excise tax amid rising pump prices linked to the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, PISTON President Modi Floranda said taxes add nearly P15 per liter to fuel prices.

“Matagal na naming itinutulak na ibasura ang oil deregulation law, ibasura ang excise tax at saka ang 12% na e-VAT,” he said.

(We’ve long called for the junking of the oil deregulation law, excise tax, and the 12% e-VAT.)

“Ang panawagan natin, tanggalin na ang mga buwis na ito sapagkat nagdudulot lamang ng patuloy na pahirap hindi lamang sa hanay ng mga driver at operator kundi sa mga mamamayan,” Floranda added.

(We are calling for the removal of these taxes because they add burden not only to jeepney drivers and operators but also to the riding public.)

Oil companies began implementing staggered pump price increases on March 10 following the escalation of hostilities involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.

According to Floranda, the continuous fuel price hike since January has caused losses for jeepney drivers, with some stopping operations and others reducing their trip hours.

Some drivers affiliated with PASANG MASDA (Pambansang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide – Maliliit na Samahan ng mga Drayber at Operator) and ALTODAP (Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines) have also stopped plying their routes due to high fuel costs.

“May namo-monitor na dahil sa malaking epekto, mao-obliga na huminto sa pamamasada. Hinahamon namin ang gobyerno kung ano ang gagawin ng pamahalaan para maampat ang paltas ng presyo ng petrolyo,” Floranda said.

(We’ve been monitoring some drivers being forced to abandon their routes. We are challenging the government to implement measures to control the rising fuel prices.)

PISTON has yet to file a request for a fare hike, but Floranda said they may be compelled to do so if fuel prices continue to surge.

“Sa bahagi namin, mao-obliga na talagang mag-file ng dagdag kita dahil sa laki nang nawawalang kita. Sa atin, bakit tayo itinutulak? Dahil sa patuloy na pagtaas na presyo ng petrolyo at malaking buwis,” he said.

(For our part, we will be obliged to request a fare hike if fuel prices continue to soar.)—MCG, GMA Integrated News