BAGUIO City Representative Mark Go questioned anew the high prices of gasoline and diesel before the members of Congress on Tuesday, August 6.
In his privilege speech, Go highlighted the glaring disparity of fuel pump prices in Baguio and in the neighboring towns of La Union, currently averaging at P5 for diesel and P6 for gasoline.
“The price of oil products in Baguio must immediately be brought down to what is fair and reasonable, reflective only of the circumstantial differences between Baguio and the lowlands, leaving no room for unjust pricing,” Go said.
According to Go, the slim difference in distances covered when transporting fuel from a Poro Point, La Union to Baguio and its neighboring towns in the lowlands, does not justify such manifest price disparity.
Further, the congressmen pointed out the presence of major and independent players, and the state of Baguio’s economy should have sustained a comparable degree of competition that would temper the volatility of oil pricing.
Go lamented the adverse effects of high fuel prices on local trade and production in his district and echoed the sentiments of the public on rising prices of commodities and taxi and PUV fare hikes.
On July 10, 2019, the Baguio solon filed House Resolution No. 44, directing the House Committee on Energy to conduct an inquiry on the alleged disparity and overpricing of fuel prices in Northern Luzon, aimed at lowering said prices.
Go called on his fellow congressmen to step in and take immediate action to alleviate the situation in Baguio. “Let us dignify the right of consumers to a fair and reasonable access to oil products.” Go said. (PR)