This story
was taken from Bulatlat, the Philippines's alternative weekly
newsmagazine (www.bulatlat.com, www.bulatlat.net, www.bulatlat.org).
Vol. V, No. 31, September 11-17, 2005
Oil Companies Slammed for
Greed Even
as anger over the rising prices of oil products mounts, consumers brace for yet
another increase with the impending implementation of the 10% Expanded Value
Added Tax.
by NORTHERN DISPATCH BAGUIO CITY - Even as anger
over the rising prices of oil products mounts, consumers brace for yet another
increase with the impending implementation of the 10 percent Expanded Value
Added Tax (E-VAT). In a news release, Nitz Gonzaga of the Kilusang Mayo Uno
(May 1st Movement) Women’s Department said that the EVAT
implementation is just an opportunity for large oil companies to pump up their
revenues regardless of the burden that will be added to the consumers.
With E-VAT, oil prices are
expected to increase by another P3 to P6 per liter. “Greed for more profits is
the lifeblood of these oil companies. They are heartless and without
consideration to the indigent consumers,” lamented Gonzaga. “With the OPH (oil
price hike), none but the insatiable oil companies are exempted from its
irrational effects.” In an interview with
Carlito Wayas, president of the Metro Baguio chapter of the Pagkakaisa ng mga
Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston or Unity of Drivers and
Operators Associations Nationwide), Wayas explained how the OPH is affecting the
nation – including the passengers, drivers and small-scale transport operators.
As it is, according to
Wayas, most drivers’ and operators’ daily earnings go only to the maintenance of
the vehicle and diesel purchases. The value of spare parts, fluids and other
materials needed for vehicle maintenance will also increase with the price hike
in oil products. Gerry Diano, another
transport group leader, said a driver grosses around PhP1,500 for a 12-day
work. Of this, PhP 500 goes to the operator and PhP 793.25 goes to diesel
purchases. The driver is thus left with only PhP 206.75. Diano added that the
computation still does not include the driver’s expenses for lunch. With the implementation of
the EVAT, according to Wayas, drivers will be worse off. Wayas explained that the
general public is also affected because an oil price increase automatically
jacks up the cost of services and commodities. A fare hike, according to Wayas,
is not the solution because it will only add to the burden of the ordinary wage
earner whose income does not increase while prices of basic commodities and
services escalate. “No pay kayat tayo koma
nga ingato ti pasahe gaputa tuluy-tuloy ti panag-ngato ti presyo ti langis,
kasapulan a balansien tayo ti kapasidad dagiti umili nga agbayad. Ta ammo tayo
met, ken uray ti PISTON, ket agpanpanawagan ken supsuportaranna ti dawat dagiti
umili para iti nayon a sweldo”
(Although we want to increase fares because of the continuous increase in oil
prices, we should also consider the capacity of the consumers to pay. This is
why Piston supports the call of workers for wage increase), he said. Wayas said government must
have the initiative and political will to stop both the increase in oil prices
as well as the prices of basic goods and commodities. Primarily, he said,
government should repeal the oil deregulation law. Only then will government
regain control of oil prices. The government may also
institute a system of “centralized procurement” and thus control the importation
of oil. This would also give the government a chance to monitor oil consumption
in every part of the country, control the distribution and pricing of oil
products. In addition, Wayas said,
the government must nationalize the oil industry. With this, the country can
gain control over its vast natural oil resources in Palawan and Cotabato. He
said that if developed under Filipino control, the oil fields would be able to
supply all of the country’s oil needs at a cheaper price. All these are possible
only if the government has the will and determination, he added. Wayas said the daily noise
barrage in Baguio City, which started last Sept. 3, aims to encourage more
people to strengthen the resistance against unjust hikes in the prices of oil
and basic goods. This action, according to Piston, is linked with the call for
the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and a change in the system of
government. The noise barrage, dubbed “12 o’ clock habit,” is held at noon.
Bulatlat © 2004 Bulatlat
■
Alipato Publications Permission is granted to reprint or redistribute this article, provided its author/s and Bulatlat are properly credited and notified.
Posted by Bulatlat