Drivers slam government on fuel price disparity

DRIVERS belonging to Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators- Negros (Ston) slammed anew the failure of the government to address the fuel price disparity in Negros as compared to Metro Manila and other provinces.

Nilo Frias of Ston said that they have been expecting some results from government officials, including senators, who pledged to help address the problem but, until now, it remains unresolved.

The price disparity of fuel in the province and in Metro Manila is pegged at P4 to P5 per liter.

In Metro Manila, the price of regular gasoline is P48.35 per liter, while here Bacolod City, the price is P52.42.

The problem has been brought by business and transport sectors in the province to the attention of concerned government officials since last year. They even held rallies to press the government, especially the Department of Energy (DOE), to address the issue.

DOE officials failed to address the disparity, citing the lack of competition among oil companies and the absence of fuel refineries and depots in the province as the cause for the disparity.

Frias pointed out that several small oil companies have already been established in the province and that Phoenix Corporation has a depot at the Bacolod reclamation area.

Frias, meanwhile, called on the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to emphasize its order about giving discounts to students, even on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

This after several students complained that they were not given discounts by some the drivers during weekends and holidays.