The chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means has projected what can be described as titanic price hikes on fuel next week.
Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda, in Viber message to reporters Friday night, March 4, said he sees diesel prices going up by a whopping P4.51 per liter and gasoline by a lesser but still headache-inducing P3.37 per liter.
He claimed that these price increases will be enforced "by next Tuesday 03/08/22 (March 8, 2022)".
Reporters sought an explanation from Salceda regarding the big time price uptick, to which he replied "$15/ barrel...incremental," which points to the increase in the world price of crude per barrel.
He didn't give projected price adjustments for kerosene or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Poverty-inducing for PUV sector
A separate statement from the economist-solon offered this dreary outlook for Filipinos, particularly those who work in the transport sector: “I also expect some PUV (public utility vehicle) drivers who were near-poverty to fall into poverty once oil prices continue upward."
"To ease the pressure off, I will also be asking the economic managers to see if we can expand existing social amelioration programs to cover PUVs," said the House leader.
“I will formally ask the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) and DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) modify guidelines for defining displaced workers and individuals in crisis situations so we can extend relief to affected PUV drivers and operators," added the Bicol congressman, who is a known number-cruncher in the chamber.
On Monday, March 7, Salceda will co-chair the first meeting of the Fuel Crisis Ad Hoc Committee with three other House panel heads.
Formed by House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, the ad hoc panel is tasked to come up with recommendations of a relief mechanism for consumers, even as the lawmakers await a possible request for special sessions from President Duterte.