The Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) estimates that public transport operators and drivers already lose Php 250 from their daily earnings due to the series of oil price hikes in the Philippines.
PISTON national president Mody Floranda made the remark on Monday, August 21, a day before oil firms implemented another increase in the cost of petroleum products anew.
"Sa loob ng 25 days, halos kulang-kulang, Php 7,000 yung direct na nawawalang kita na dapat ito ay nagagamit na ng mga operator at driver sa pangangailangan ng kanilang pamilya," said Floranda during an interview with dzRH's Damdaming Bayan.
Floranda expressed his support for the proposal to junk Republic Act No. 8479, also known as the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act.
The transport group leader insists that the public transport sector, and the public did not benefit from the passage of RA 8479, which became law in 1998.
"Yung paggalaw ng presyo ng petrolyo ay yung oil company na lang ang nagtatakda," Floranda stressed.
Floranda also urges President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to issue an executive order to suspend the collection of fuel excise tax, which he expects will bring down oil prices.
"Dapat tignan ng gobyerno yung long-term solution sa kasalukuyan kalagayan natin sa usapin ng langis," Floranda added.
As per the announcement of oil firms, the price of gasoline went up by Php 1.10 per liter, diesel increased by Php 0,20 per liter, and kerosene climbed up by Php 0.70 per liter
