By E. T. SUAREZ
Transport and labor groups said yesterday that they have decided to set aside their fare and wage hike petitions, saying the continuous rollback in the prices of petroleum products, including liquified petroleum gas (LPG) being used in millions of households across the nation cushions to a certain extent the impact of the increase from 10 to 12 percent of the expanded value added tax (E-VAT).
They said the downward movement of the prices of gasoline, diesel, kerosene and LPG neutralizes the effects of E-VAT increase on the prices of basic commodities, particularly those that the people need daily.
The groups, led by Tinig ng Organisadong Drayber at Operator sa Pilipinas (TODA Pilipinas) and the Integrated Labor Organization of the Philippines (ILOP), said the almost weekly reduction in the cost of gasoline and other petroleum products deprive businessmen and traders of a good reason to jack up the prices of basic commodities.
"We are optimistic that the continuous reduction in the prices of gasoline, diesel, kerosene and LPG will soon be reflected not only the prices of basic commodities, but also in power and water rates, including services,’’ ILOP president Florante G. Reyes said.
Reyes said that for as long as the prices of petroleum products are going down, they will forego their fare and wage increase petitions.
He said the cost of living continues to go skyhigh, but they know that if transport fare will go up, it will worsen the economic ordeal of average wage earners and their families.
"But although we have decided to forego our fare and wage increase petitions, we support the move of certain lawmakers to push through a legislated wage hike of P125 daily,’’ Reyes said. "We also look forward to further reduction in the prices of petroleum products, including LPG, as the prices of crude oil in the world market continues to plummet.
Arnel Ty, president of LPG Marketers Association, expressed the hope that the price of LPG being used in ordinary households will eventually go down to P400 per tank.
Ty said the cost of LPG has gone down nine times already this month and they expect another rollback before the end of this month . At present, the cost of LPG per tank ranges from P480 to P510 per tank weighing 11-kilogram.
"Given the government’s estimate, consumers are eeyeing that LPG prices will still go down by another P1 per kilogram in the coming days,’’ Ty said.
DoE had announced th at it is expecting total cut price of at least P2.50 per kilogram before the month’s end.
TODA Pilipineas said for as long as the cost of diesel doe not go up to P35 per liter, the petitions for a fare increase will remain frozen.
|
