TALISAY CITY -- The drop in oil price does not guarantee "safe and sound" security for the consumers especially among the transportation sector, an official said.
Jessie Ortega, secretary general of the United Negros Drivers Operators Center Inc. (Undoc), stressed the need for an investigation on the "pricing scheme" by big oil companies, which he noted "operates under the cartelization of world market."
He said the overpricing of oil companies of at least P7 in oil products plus the sudden hike in fare rates justify the motive of the oil companies in trying to control the local market that apparently affects all business sectors, especially the transport sector.
"In lieu of this, we in the transport sector demand for an investigation on the oil companies' pricing scheme," said Ortega.
Big oil companies such as Shell, Petron and Caltex are among those cited by Ortega, which he said "dominates" the local market.
Ortega said Undoc is coordinating with militant transport group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston) in Manila with regards to efforts to compel oil companies of their pricing scheme.
Ortega said that prices of oil in Negros Occidental and in Bacolod City compared to other regions are higher "which is not supposed to be."
Meanwhile, Ortega said that Undoc also supports the call by the parents and students for a "no increase" in tuition fees and other matriculation fees this opening of classes in June.
Ortega also hopes that there will be no increase in the oil prices so it would not result to an increase in the fare rates.
He said Governor-elect Alfredo Marañon has already vowed to lobby the plight of the transportation groups when he assumes his post in July.