HARDEST-HIT | Tricycle drivers, who depend on their meager daily earnings to feed their families, are among those feeling the pinch of rising fuel prices. (MARIANNE BERMUDEZ / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy is supportive of a four-day work week, or the extension of the work-from-home setup for employees in order to reduce fuel consumption in transportation amid the rising oil prices globally.
Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said on Wednesday that while there is enough supply of fuel in the country, gasoline prices could go up to P90.39 per liter while diesel could spike up to P84.76 per liter if Dubai fuel prices reach $150 per barrel.
“We also support yung panukala na four-day work week at ‘yung panukala din pong palawigin muna natin yung work-from-home para sa ganun mabawasan ang pagbyahe ng ating mga mamamayan,” Cusi said during the Talk to the People briefing aired Wednesday.
(We also support proposals of four-day work week and to extend the work-from-home arrangement so that transportation of our countrymen will be minimized.)
Cusi likewise backed proposals to provide additional financial assistance to sectors affected by the high fuel prices.
The energy secretary likewise pushed for the building of Philippine Strategic Petroleum Reserve as part of its long-term solutions to address fuel issues in the country.
According to Cusi, prices of fuel will only go down if there will be an increase in supply by removing the sanctions imposed on other oil-producing countries such as Venezuela, Iran, and Syria.
A ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia will also help in lowering fuel prices, the energy secretary added.
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