Binay calls for oil price rollback; seeks development of alternative fuels
MANILA, Philippines–Vice President Jejomar C. Binay on Friday repeated government’s appeal for a rollback in oil prices, as he also urged jeepney drivers to explore the use of alternative fuel to help bring down their cost of operations.
In a dialog with some 300 leaders of different jeepney and transport groups at the Coconut Palace, Binay also said jeepney drivers and operators are now eligible to become members of the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) or Pag-IBIG Fund.
Department of Energy (DoE) Undersecretary Jay Layug, who was also present at the meeting, said that oil companies are set to roll back gasoline prices by as much as P1.89 per liter and diesel by P1.87 per liter.
“There is sufficient basis for the rollback but I also urge the oil companies to review if a higher rollback would be possible,” Binay said.
The Vice President also called for a deeper look into the use of alternative fuels for the transport sector.
The drivers raised several issues during the dialog, among them the alleged increase in the amount demanded for “kotong” (extortion), rising cost of spare parts, and increase in fines for traffic violations. They also requested additional assistance to drivers.
Binay said he would coordinate with the concerned government agencies to look into the possible suspension of the increase in fines pending a more thorough study into the issue, and that he would look into the possible creation of a cooperative as the central supplier of spare parts for jeepneys.
He also advised the officials of the transport groups to report to their respective mayors police officers and traffic enforcers who demand bribes and file cases against them.
“Sa ating pong isang taong pamumuno, nakapagdagdag na po tayo ng 1.4 million members,” he said.
“Mas maganda na po yung magdagdag tayo ng miyembro kaysa magdagdag ng amortization,” he added.
