THERE was unmistakable mild panic in many gasoline stations in Metro Manila on the night of October 31. The provocateurs – motorists trying to fill up their gas tanks hours before the effectivity of the feared EVAT.
The apprehension was that the increased or Expanded Value-Added Tax would ignite an uncontrolled rise in the prices of fuel.
Long lines of motorists, also including motorcyclists and tricycle drivers, queued for hours. And one has to give credit to some service stations which accommodated customers up to midnight.
At Cinderella time, as much as
R3 padded the pump prices of gasoline products.
The following day, many interpreted the starting day of the new EVAT-induced prices of basic commodities on All Saints’ Day as ominous. A death knell for the masses. And those who profounded the ill-meaning did not mind the sacrilege. They were angry.
But administration officials had a faint smile on their faces that Tuesday. Why, the streets were clear of demonstrators who would have otherwise gone wild mounting protest rallies on the very first day of the effectivity of a new law they have detested for nearly a year.
"
Undas" saved the day for PNP elements. It was all quiet in demo fronts all over Metro Manila.
But some politicians made some noise. As usual, they would always want to have their say on the increased fuel prices.
The phrase "Itold-you-so" was on every politician’s lips. We had issued warnings a long time ago on the escalating oil prices, they claimed.
So, how do they plan to caution the effects?
"PUB operators should now start shifting to LPG," said Senator Mar Roxas. He was expected to say that, he who has always been identified with consumer welfare. A perceived defender of housewives when it comes to high, unconscionable retail prices.
The ever fast-talker Senator Dick Gordon was not far behind. "Just as I have been saying all along, we should have started using ethanol as an additive to vehicle fuels a long time ago."
Not to be outdone, officials of the Philippine Coconut Authority said:
"Five years ago we had already been pushing for the use of coco-diesel not only in transportation vehicles but in industries, as well.
"Not only have the government scientists pursued this alternative fuel as a feasible and economical additive, but also private entrepreneurs who have been working closely with us in the development of coco-diesel."
But surprisingly, the usually garrulous politicians from sugar-producing provinces were mum on the "how-tosolve" proposals to counter the skyrocketing prices of gasoline items.
Of course, for years Ilonggo politicians were trumpeting for sugarcane alcohol as substitute for diesel in a number of mechanical applications. This time, an unnatural thing happened – congressmen from sugar-producing regions were silent!
But those of us observing the harangues of those politicians in the face of the Nov. 1 rise of consumer fuels were just amused.
We all know that no scientists or researchers in the country can give an assurance that agri-based alternatives will mix well with diesel. Or that the substitutes will be accepted by the engines or machines.
Have the "I-told-you-so" wise guys even thought how expensive it is to retool and reconfigure engines and machines to accommodate alternatives to fuel oil?
For one, the country has no acceptable or proven technology to ensure compatibility of local substances with traditional crude oil derivatives.
Nor do we have trained scientists to do it.
Meanwhile, a Piddig, Ilocos Norte, housewife was more pragmatic. She told a news anchor over a radio station that her daily dish of
pinakbet will not contain less of talong, ampalaya, and kamatis. Why?
"
Nangina ti presyo ti nateng!" she cries. 
