More oil discounts sought for PUVs

MANILA, Philippines - The government is appealing to oil companies to give out more price discounts to public transport groups.

Oil refiners Shell and Petron are presently implementing P1 per liter discounts to public utility vehicles under their respective diesel discount programs. Independent oil player Seaoil, on the other hand, had launched a price lock of P52 per liter through a prepaid card.

“The Department of Energy (DOE) has appealed to all oil companies to give discounts to public utility vehicles,” the agency said.

In a meeting last March 10, representatives from the Inter-Agency Energy Contingency Committee (IECC) said efforts must be intensified on finding ways to cushion the impact of rising oil prices on consumers.

The IECC, chaired by the DOE Secretary, was created pursuant to Administrative Order 6 (AO 6) and is composed of the heads of the Departments of Finance, Budget and Management, Trade and Industry, Transportation and Communication, Interior and Local Government, Justice, Agriculture, National Defense, Foreign Affairs, National Economic and Development Authority, and the National Security Council.

The formal meeting of the respective IECC member-government agency heads on March 21 will look at providing support to the identified sectors most affected by the oil price movements.

Under AO 6, the IECC’s main responsibility is to evaluate and enhance existing plans in dealing with energy contingencies. In preparation for the March 21 meeting, representatives from the Department of Agriculture will provide price estimates of agricultural commodities while the Trade and Industry Department is also set to present its plan for the discounts on basic goods to alleviate the impacts of the continuous oil price increases.

The DOE said the IECC will also be focusing on an integrated push for alternative fuels and vehicles.

The DOE has been engaging other government agencies and multilateral financial institutions to encourage the use and provide access to non-conventional powered vehicles ranging from tricycles, jeepneys and buses.

The Asian Development Bank and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have agreed to provide technical support to alternative fuels development.