Jeepney drivers grapple with hefty pump price increase

CNN Philippines

Jeepney drivers are bearing the brunt of the big-time oil price increase that took effect today. The Transport department vows fuel subsidies, but some drivers already doubt they would receive it.  Senior correspondent Gerg Cahiles has more.  Visit our website for more #NewsYouCanTrust: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/  Follow our social media pages:  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CNNPhilippines • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cnnphilippines/ • Twitter: https://twitter.com/cnnphilippines

Transcript

00:00 Jeepney driver Noel Digas is dismayed over today's four peso per liter increase

00:05 in the price of diesel. Digas says his jeepney consumes around 30 liters

00:10 driving 17 hours a day which translates into an income loss of 120 pesos. But he

00:17 believes it's not fair to pass on the burden of high fuel prices to passengers

00:22 through another round of fair hike.

00:26 Since January this year the price of diesel already went up by 11 pesos and

00:39 50 centavos based on data gathered by CNN Philippines. Transport group is

00:44 stone says if the average diesel consumption of a traditional jeepney is

00:48 at 20 liters and a jeepney driver works for 22 days per month his income loss is

00:54 already at over 5,000 pesos. It's enough for him to buy a sack of rice and pay

01:00 for his family's utility bills.

01:04 The transportation department is preparing for the distribution of fuel

01:17 subsidy. Among the beneficiaries are the 280,000 POV drivers who will receive

01:23 6,500 pesos each. Many of them expressed hope everyone will receive the one-time

01:29 subsidy.

01:32 Transport group Pasang Masa meanwhile is asking for a one peso surge fee during

01:51 rush hour. The group also proposes a one peso per liter discount for POV drivers

01:56 in all gasoline stations.

02:00 Piston says all types of assistance to get by with the fuel price increases

02:08 good but in the end they say the government has the ultimate power to

02:12 implement long-term solutions to the problem. This includes the removal of

02:16 taxes on petroleum products and the scrapping of the oil deregulation law

02:21 which in effect will allow the government to regulate oil prices in the

02:26 country.

02:28 CNN Philippines is still trying to get the side of the transportation and

02:43 energy departments on these proposals. George Cahiles, CNN Philippines.

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