The government should listen

This administration is supposedly cool to a P1 fare hike as gas and diesel prices reach astronomical highs. One peso. Their concern is an increase may snowball into other increases such as wages and others. Meralco is already gearing up for an increase. I can imagine everything else will increase such as air travel and courier services. Just when life was headed towards normalcy, we are met with Putin’s war in Ukraine. The government is still studying ways to mitigate the potential impact on everyone.

Last Monday I saw long queues at gas stations. I can't remember the last time I saw queues like these. The announced large increase in the price of gasoline and diesel was implemented last Tuesday. I was shocked at the prices I saw. Your P500 will not get you far. Those who have begun driving or traveling to vacation spots might have a change of plans with the rising cost of fuel.

Many are petitioning the government, particularly President Duterte to remove the excise tax on fuel. Senator Drilon states there is no legal impediment for government to remove the said tax as this is an emergency case and people are suffering. The Palace still has no answer. Finance Secretary Dominguez will fight to keep the tax, even wanting to impose additional taxes to service the country’s ballooning debt brought about by the pandemic. That debt is almost P12 trillion. A constant talking point of most politicians running for the presidency.

We thought we were seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. But that light turned out to be another train. Putin's train, if you will. He seems to want to see the whole world burn. No one can say how long his unjust war will last. I for one see it stretching out unless the sanctions cause his closest friends to start crying to him. The Ukrainians will not give up. And they shouldn’t. They must defend their country. All aid to Ukraine be it military or financial should continue. Millions of civilians have already left Ukraine but there are reports civilians are prevented from leaving or being shot at by Russian soldiers. The Russians allegedly do not uphold their end on agreements to provide safe corridors for fleeing civilians. We do have many problems in the country but nothing like what the people of Ukraine are experiencing. We still have a lot to be thankful for, but I hope the government will listen to the cries of our people.