Motorists hit hard by big time oil price hike

A major oil price hike took effect on Tuesday, with motorists reeling from the effects of the latest surge.

Following continued tensions in the Middle East, diesel prices rose as high as P10.68 per liter, with gasoline also increasing by P3.65 per liter.

Kerosene prices also rose by P11.77 per liter. Some oil firms will implement the increase on a staggered basis.

In Bernadette Reyes' "24 Oras" report on Tuesday, public utility vehicle drivers decried the high prices. Jeepney driver Ronnie Noynay said that every fare he earned today just went to paying for fuel.

“‘Pag baba nila piso, pagtaas nila sampu,” Noynay said. (The decrease is one peso, then the increase is 10 pesos.)

Taxi driver Reynante Tibon said what he used to make in 10 hours now takes 16 because of how high gas prices are.

Transport group MANIBELA announced a transport strike from July 22 to 23 following the latest round of oil price hikes.

“Sa halip na mahigpit na bantayan at papanagutin ang mga oil companies, nagiging kuntento na lamang ang Department of Energy kung ano ang idikta nito na presyo sa merkado. Humihingi tayo ng pagpapaliwanag sa bawat taas ng presyo ng mga produktong petrolyo, pero tila nagiging abogado ng mga oil companies itong si Sharon Garin ng Department of Energy,” MANIBELA chairperson Mar Valbuena said in a press conference.

(Instead of strictly monitoring and holding oil companies accountable, the Department of Energy seems content with whatever prices they dictate in the market. We are demanding an explanation for every price increase of petroleum products, but it seems Sharon Garin of the Department of Energy is acting like a lawyer for the oil companies.)

Valbuena reiterated his group's appeal to increase the jeepney fare to two pesos. —Jean Mangaluz/RF, GMA News