Solon to call on petrol dealers

THE IMPLEMENTATION of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN law is expected to have a gradual effect on the petroleum products used by Baguio and Benguet residents .

With the expected price increase, Benguet Representative Ronald Cosalan is planning to call representatives from the petroleum industry based in La Union to give a clearer explanation in the disparity of fuel prices from the lowlands.

"We could call for them again in Congress if it is really believable that the petroleum products coming from La Union going to Baguio and Benguet evaporates during delivery, but I have

not actually encountered a committee hearing asking these petroleum companies on the disparity in the cost of fuel," Cosalan said.

Last year, Baguio City Councilor Micheal Lawana called on petroleum representatives to explain the disparity in the city council.

"When we called for them, their explanation were focused on the technical and financial point. They alleged chemical reaction or evaporation during transport as one of the reasons for the price disparity, aside from the distance which was a shallow reason," said Lawana.

The average gasoline prices for Northern Luzon area is now P49 per liter. In contrast, gasoline prices in Baguio City is higher by P5 to P13 per liter.

Baguio City Representative Mark Go also initiated talks on the disparity and overpricing of fuel prices in Northern Luzon citing control of the companies in pricing all over the country.

Go said Petron was the lone company to appear before the Congress during the last hearing but assured the other two companies will be present to shed light on issues.

Lawana welcomed the move of the Benguet Representative saying "since we have not heard from these petroleum companies after sending a letter of inquiry, we appreciate the move of the good Congressman to find out the real reason for the big disparity in the price of petroleum products in Baguio and Benguet, as compared to the province of La Union."