Palace admits helplessness to control fuel price hikes (2:13 p.m.)
MANILA — Malacañang admitted that except for having oil firms “pace” their increases, it is helpless in controlling the runaway hike in prices of fuel products.
Deputy presidential spokesman Anthony Golez Jr. said the Philippines is in no position to influence, much less dictate, the prices of fuel.
“When it comes to prices of diesel or gas that is something we cannot do anything about. We cannot dictate or even express our protest over high prices because our industries are dependent on fuel,” Golez said.
He said the only thing government can do is to “convince” oil firms to “pace” their hikes. “We talk to them to pace their hikes,” he said.
On the other hand, Golez said the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) is working with law enforcement agencies to go after lawmen involved in extortion.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is also pursuing poverty alleviation programs, he added. (JMR/Sunnex)
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