President Duterte’s press secretary assured the public on Tuesday, June 7, that the government has put in place mechanisms that will address the inflation rate which grew to 5.4 percent last month and the skyrocketing prices of fuel in the country.
Secretrary Martin Andanar of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) stressed that the outgoing Duterte administration had already provided a fuel subsidy program for drivers and operators, a service contracting program for commuters and drivers, and free MRT 3 rides until the end of the President’s term on June 30.
“Patuloy natin minamatyagan ang presyo ng pangunahing bilihin o (We continue monitoring the prices of basic goods or) basic goods. Alam naman natin ang pagtaas ng (We know that the rise of) inflation rate ay dulot ng pagtaas ng presyo ng langis kaya naman nagbigay tayo ng (is because of the increase in the prices of fuel that’s why we gave) fuel subsidy program para sa mga tsuper at operator (for our drivers and operators),” he said during a media briefing.
The service contracting program, in particular, will benefit not only commuters but drivers as well since they will be paid according to the number of trips they have made.
Andanar also explained that the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) already approved a P33-increase in the daily minimum wage. This salary hike takes effect in Metro Manila on June 4. Other regional wage boards have also ordered increases in minimum wage rates.
READ: Inflation hits 5.4% in May, fresh three-year high
This would help shoulder the rising cost of goods and services as a result of the increase in fuel prices.
Andanar also stressed that President Duterte will not suspend the excise tax on oil despite calls from many groups.
He said this matter is better tackled by the incoming Marcos administration.
“Hindi naman po nagbabago ang posisyon ng Pangulo noong Marso sa ngayon at sang-ayon sa economic team na h’wag suspendihin ang (The position of the President last March hasn’t changed and the economic team agrees not to suspend the) excise fuel tax dahil ang kikitain dito ay nai-budget na sa sweldo ng nga guro, sa Build Build Build, at iba pang program ng ating pamahalaan (because the income from here has been budgeted for the salary of teachers, for the Build Build Build, and other programs of the government),” he explained.
“Ngunit hahayaan natin sa susunod na administrasyon ang desisyon tungkol panawagang ito (But we will let the next administration decide about this call),” Andanar added.
Various groups have called for the suspension of excise fuel tax owing to the high prices of fuel because of many factors, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Prices for regular unleaded gasoline have ranged between P74 to P80 per liter for weeks. Diesel is around the same price.
It is expected that pump prices for regular unleaded, premium, and diesel can rise up to P100 per liter.
But President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. already nixed the possibility of suspending the excise taxes on fuel because the fund will be used for government projects. He said there are other ways to address the rising cost of fuel.