Solon wants huge disparity in oil prices in Manila, provinces probed

ILOILO CITY — Party-list groups will push for an investigation of the significant disparity between oil prices in the provinces and Metro Manila, according to Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro “Teddy” Casiño.

“We will not only address the complaints of transport groups in (Western Visayas) with regard to the disparities in pump prices that are much higher than in Metro Manila, we will work with Piston (Pinag-isang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide) and all transport groups … to look into this and find policy solutions,” Casiño said.

He said the government should address the complaints of transport groups that oil prices, especially in the provinces, were too high.

“The Makabayan coalition of progressive party-list groups in Congress filed measures to help our nation’s transport groups address the problematic state policies that permit oil price hikes and protect the oil companies instead of the public,” Casiño said.

The coalition includes party-list groups Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela Women’s Party, Kabataan and ACT Teachers.

Casiño earlier co-sponsored House Resolution 1170 asking the House committee on energy to conduct an urgent inquiry into the unusually high prices of fuel products in Negros Occidental as well as other cities and provinces outside Metro Manila. /INQUIRER