THE Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) asked President Arroyo for some relief from rising oil prices, saying Cebuano consumers were made to absorb “losses” arising from a price freeze ordered in Luzon.

In a letter sent through Presidential Assistant for Central Visayas Felix Guanzon, the CCCI said that since Executive Order 839 took effect—forcing oil companies to return to fuel price levels as of Oct. 15—fuel products have cost at least P8 more in Cebu than in Metro Manila.

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The CCCI said it understood that the price freeze was intended to help consumers in Luzon who are reeling from a series of powerful storms since late September.

“However, when the Big 3 oil companies implemented Executive Order 839, the price of fuel in Cebu correspondingly increased by P2, giving us the impression that Cebu is being made to bear the brunt of the alleged ‘losses’ from the said price freeze,” said the letter signed by Consul Samuel Chioson, CCCI president.

The chamber pointed out that in April this year, it appealed for President Arroyo’s help with an “inequitable discrepancy” that forced Cebu-based consumers to pay higher pump prices than those in other areas.

The CCCI and other business organizations then joined Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia in filing a complaint against Petron, Pilipinas Shell and Chevron before a joint task force of the justice and energy departments.

Continuing

“While the case is still under review, Cebu has seen several rounds of fuel price increases, the latest of which was another increment this week,” the CCCI said in its letter.

“This further widens the gap between Metro Manila and Cebu prices by as much as P8.85 per liter for diesel as of today (Oct. 30).”

Citing reports by the Department of Energy, the chamber pointed out that diesel was sold for P28 per liter, on the average, in Metro Manila, compared to P36.85 in Cebu. Gasoline retailed for P36.41 in the capital region for the same period, compared to P45.19 (unleaded) in Cebu.

“While the Big 3 oil companies have been unable to give a plausible explanation for the higher fuel prices in Cebu vs. prices in the rest of the country, they continue imposing increases, further disadvantaging Cebu business and the entire Cebu populace,” the chamber said.

It asked for Malacañang’s “urgent intervention.”