The City Council on Monday asked Congress to hold an inquiry on the high fuel and petroleum product prices in Puerto Princesa City.
Councilor Jimbo Maristela, sponsor of the Council’s resolution, noted the higher cost of petroleum products locally compared to Metro Manila and other areas.
Maristela said the current price of gasoline per liter in the city range from P59 to P62 while diesel is around P50 to P51.
In MIMAROPA region, particularly in Calapan City, the prices of gasoline per liter only range from P41 to P43, P45 to P50 in Occidental Mindoro, and P43 to P49 in Marinduque, he said.
“Gumawa kami ng research sa Region 4B at sobrang laki ng kaibahan kaya humihingi tayo ng tulong kasi ito ay obserbasyon na rin ng mga taga-Puerto pati na rin ng mga bumibisita rito sa siyudad. Sinasabi nila na bakit napakataas ng gasolina sa lungsod, ilang beses na natin napatawag ang mga representative ng mga gasoline station pero ang sabi nila ay matagal na rin nilang nasimulan ito, matagal na at pinagpapatuloy na lang nila,” he said.
Maristela also mentioned that prices of gasoline in Manila only range from P49 to P52 and diesel at P37 to P44.
He believes the congressional inquiry can help resolve the dilemma that besets residents of the city.
“Sa palagay ko ay malaki ang maitutulong ng kongreso na magsagawa ng isang congressional inquiry kung bakit nga ba napakataas ng presyo ng krudo at gasolina dito kumpara sa Manila at ibang lugar sa rehiyon. Napakatagal na panahon na mataas ang presyo ng gasoline at krudo dito. Wala sa kapangyarihan ng local na pamahalaan para sabihan ang mga supplier kung ano ang kanilang presyo, kaya ang gusto sana natin ay tingnan ng kongreso kung bakit ganito kalaki ang pagkakaiba ng presyo,” Maristela added.
He said that the price difference is a burden to the people, especially when included in the cost of commodities.
In a separate interview, Rep. Gil Acosta Jr. (3rd District, Palawan) said that he will come up with a legislative measure to address the problem and will ask proper agencies that have authority on the matter.
He also said that the committee on trade in industry chaired by Sen. Win Gatchalian will also conduct an inquiry regarding the issue.
“Ang alam ko ay binibyahe pa ‘yan at mahal talaga kapag galing ng Manila papuntang Palawan pero tama naman na tanungin nga kung bakit mas mataas kapag sa Palawan. We will ask the Department of Trade and Industry kung may magagawa ba, kung wala ay baka we will form a legislative measure at para ma-imbestigahan,” he said.
