The farmers’ group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) has criticized major petroleum companies for their consecutive price hikes on petroleum products, which have significantly impacted the livelihood of farmers in the country.

Fuel prices in the Philippines saw a notable increase on January 21, with diesel rising by P2.70 per liter, gasoline by P1.65 per liter, and kerosene by P2.50 per liter, marking yet another round of price hikes.

In a statement, the progressive farmers’ group called on the country’s big petroleum firms to moderate their “greed,” as the rising cost of petroleum products is negatively affecting Filipinos, particularly those on the fringes of society.

“Ganid sa tubo ang mga dambuhalang kumpanya ng langis sa kanilang walang tigil na pagpapataw ng mataas na presyo ng produktong petrolyo (The giant oil companies are driven by greed for profit as they relentlessly impose high prices on petroleum products),” Danilo Ramos, the president of KMP, said.

According to the farmers’ group, it has become a pattern for large companies to impose weekly increases in petroleum prices.

Ramos further said that the administration of President Marcos has failed to intervene in the recurring price hikes by petroleum companies.

The increase in fuel prices, Ramos said, has a severe effect on food prices, which in turn affects both farmers and consumers.

“Habang nababawasan ang kita ng mga tsuper, manggagawa, at maliliit na negosyo, tuluy-tuloy naman ang paglago ng kita ng mga higanteng kumpanya ng langis (While the income of drivers, workers, and small businesses continues to decline, the profits of giant oil companies keep growing),” he stated.

“Malaki ang epekto ng oil price hikes sa presyo ng pagkain at iba pang bilihin dahil idinadagdag ang transport cost sa presyo ng mga produkto (Oil price hikes significantly affect the cost of food and other goods because transportation costs are added to product prices),” he went on.

Ramos noted that the transportation sector alone consumes 80 million barrels of petroleum products annually.

Per transport group PISTON, the net price increases over the past three years have been as follows: gasoline prices rose by P14.90 in 2022, P12.60 in 2023, and P12.75 in 2024, while diesel prices increased by P27.30 in 2022, ₱5.65 in 2023, and P11.00 in 2024.

The KMP has also criticized the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Marcos administration for their “lack of action” in addressing the ongoing fuel price hikes.