Don't add to the public's woes

Thank the transport groups for forcing the government to shelve the road user's tax. The threat of a widespread strike convinced the government that you can't increase fees for substandard services. Before imposing a road user's tax, the government should give the public good roads first -- roads that are evenly paved, that don't disintegrate in the rain, that are immediately restored after they are dug up by the utility companies.

Don't thank the transport groups though if you get stranded today. Some of the transport groups are pushing through with their strike in Metro Manila and other parts of the country, mainly because the government could not grant their other demand: a rollback in fuel prices. Except in the oil-producing countries, there's a global oil crunch, engineered by the oil exporters to raise world prices of crude oil to $35 a barrel. With prices now past $30, the oil companies say they can no longer continue operating at a loss.

It's a free country. Transport groups have a right to strike, especially if the protest is peaceful. Stranded commuters will just have to look out for the trucks and buses to be fielded by the government. The strike could mean less traffic at the start of the week. It's a free country and a free market, and it's only natural for the oil companies to want profits. Malacañang and Congress can look at proposals to bring down pump prices despite rising world crude prices. There will only be two losers today: commuters and President Estrada, who is getting the blame for spiraling fuel prices.

When everyone has let off steam, let's wait a week for developments in the world oil industry. On March 27, members of the Organization of Oil Exporting Countries and non-OPEC oil producers are meeting to discuss the results of their year-long curb on crude oil output. Analysts believe the oil producers are expected to announce an increase in output, which could mean a softening of crude prices. Will this mean lower pump prices? It will depend on how much additional crude the oil producers are willing to release into the market. We're all sick and tired of rising fuel prices, but we can afford to wait for the oil producers' next move. Until then, concerned groups can avoid actions that will only add to the public's woes.