Transport group asks Rody: Probe oil price hikes

MANILA, Philippines – The Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) asked President Duterte and the Department of Energy (DOE) to intervene in the recent oil price hikes.

PISTON president George San Mateo said yesterday he sent a letter to the DOE and to Duterte, asking them to probe the unreasonable increases in fuel prices.

He believes that the basic jeepney fare might be affected by the oil price increases. However, he clarified that PISTON has no plans to seek a fare increase.

San Mateo threatened to stage a massive transport strike in September if the government does nothing to address the oil price hikes.

Some fuel stations increased prices of gasoline by P1.35 per liter, diesel by P1.45 and kerosene by P1.45 yesterday morning.

San Mateo argued that the increase was “grossly overpriced” as he cited world oil prices, which currently stand only at $48 per barrel compared to $107 in June 2014.

He maintained the current diesel and gasoline prices should only be P20 and P25, respectively.