By Brian Campued
“Ang bawat sentimo na ibinababa ay dapat maramdaman ng bawat Pilipino.”
Following last week’s big-time oil price rollback, the public can expect another relief in the coming week amid high fuel costs driven by tensions in the Middle East.
In a video message Saturday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced that diesel prices will go down by around P24.94 per liter, while gasoline and kerosene prices will be reduced by P3.41/L and P2/L, respectively.
“Mas malaki ito kaysa sa rollback noong nakaraang linggo at malinaw ang ibig sabihin nito para sa ating lahat. May ginhawang parating,” Marcos stressed.
The President reiterated the government’s call for oil companies to implement the rollback properly and without delay.
“At para sa ating mga kababayan, bukas ang ating tanggapan at ang Department of Energy para sa inyong mga reklamo. Kung may paglabag, ipaalam po ninyo sa amin. Kikilos kami agad.”
To cushion the impact of global oil price volatility on Filipinos, Marcos highlighted government measures that are already in place such as the P10 per liter discount on diesel for public utility jeepneys and UV Express units.
The initiative was rolled out on April 14 in Metro Manila, with 52 gas stations accredited to participate. Under the program, each public utility vehicle is entitled to a total of P1,500 fuel subsidy per week.
On April 15, the Department of Transportation also started its Service Contracting Program, wherein buses will be paid P100 per kilometer, while modern and traditional jeepneys will get P40 and P30 per kilometer, respectively.
Commuters are also entitled to a 20% fare discount, on top of the 20% discount being imposed for students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities.
Marcos also mentioned the three-month extension imposed by the Land Transportation Office on the validity of driver’s and conductor’s licenses, student driver’s permits, and motor vehicle registration expiring this April.
“Halimbawa, kung mag-eexpire ngayong buwan ang lisensya o rehistro mo, magiging valid pa rin yan hanggang July, at wala kang babayarang multa o anumang surcharge,” he explained.
Before concluding his message, the President assured that the administration remains committed to addressing the pressing needs of the Filipino people amid the current energy situation in the country.
“Batid namin ang sitwasyon ng bawat Pilipino sa panahong ito. Hindi tayo titigil. Hindi tayo uurong. At hindi natin hahayaan na ang ginhawang ito ay hindi po makarating sa taumbayan,” he said. (with reports from Kenneth Paciente and Clay Pardilla / PTV News)
-avds
