Piston seeks P6 discount on diesel, gasoline prices

The militant drivers’ organization in Cebu is demanding P6 discount from oil companies to cushion the effect of the new tax reform law on the fuel prices.

The Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide has urged President Rodrigo Duterte to give the order to all oil companies in the country. PISTON-Cebu chairman Greg Perez said he believes the president can do it.

"Makahimo kaayo ang presidente ana. Ang mga jeepney drivers apektado na kaayo aning pagsigi og saka sa presyo sa lana," Perez said.

Oil companies are expected to implement an increase of 80 centavo per liter for gasoline and 55 centavo per liter for diesel and kerosene due to the rising fuel cost in the world market. This does not include fuel price hike due to excise tax under the TRAIN law.

Perez added that a nationally-coordinated transport protest will be held on January 24 amid their continuing protest on the impending phaseout of old jeepneys. The drivers group is calling for the scrapping of the TRAIN law.

Perez said they will hold a protest rally in front of the regional office of Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on the said date. PISTON-Cebu had been conducting series of transport protests last year because of the impending implementation of the jeepney mordernization program that will result in the phaseout of old jeepneys.

According to Perez, their protest will now include the scrapping of TRAIN, which he described as antipoor.

"Kung magsigi ni og increase ang presyo sa lana, momugna mani og domino effect. Mosaka ang tanang palaliton. Mao na among panawagan nga ibasura gyud ni ang TRAIN law," Perez added.

Palaubsanon/FPL