'Scap oil deregulation law, excise tax on oil products'

By Charie Mae Abarca

Gabriela, a national alliance of women in the Philippines, reiterated that the scrapping of Oil Deregulation Law, as well as the removal of excise tax on major oil products may help solve the continuously soaring oil prices in the country.
    The women’s group reiterated its call following president-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s claims, saying that the Philippines “cannot control” oil prices, as it is the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) who “decides to do something” in this matter. Marcos then added, in the same briefing held Thursday, May 26, that he will “look into other options” to address the rising fuel costs in the country instead of suspending the oil excise tax.
    This statement, however, was refuted by Gabriela who strengthened its call for the immediate scrapping of Oil Deregulation Law and excise tax on major oil products.
    “May magagawa ang isang gobyerno kung inuuna ang kapakanan ng kanyang mamamayan (A government can do something if it puts the welfare of its people first),” said Gabriela Secretary General Joms Salvador in a press statement.
    Under the Oil Deregulation Law also known as the Downstream Industry Deregulation Act, the government’s control amid soaring fuel costs is removed to help oil companies be in charge with their supply and pricing of petroleum products.
    Meanwhile, Salvador underscored that the scrapping of this law, may once again “empower” the Philippine government to control, export, import, and set the price of petroleum products in the country.
    Apart from this, the women’s group also reiterated its call for the removal of excise tax on major oil products, adding that this may help alleviate the suffering of Filipinos amid the soaring fuel costs. To further prove the group’s point, Salvador cited studies saying that an amount of P10 per liter of petroleum product will be deducted if excise tax will be removed.
    “Napakalaking ginhawa ang bawat pisong makakaltas para sa mamamayang naghihingalo sa krisis sa ekonomiya (Every peso that can be saved is a great relief for people who are suffering due to economic crisis),” added Salvador.