Solon questions high oil prices in Negros

BACOLOD CITY — A congressman in Negros Occidental has drafted a resolution asking the House committee on energy to investigate disparities between the prices of oil products sold in Metro Manila and prices of gasoline and other petroleum products sold in the province.

House Resolution 1218 filed by Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd district), said the unfair pricing of petroleum products in Negros Occidental should be looked into.

The prices of fuel products in the province are higher by P5 per liter compared to those sold in Manila.

Benitez said various stakeholders suspected the big oil companies of cartelization to eliminate competition and to manipulate the prices of fuel products for the purpose of augmenting their minimal gains in other areas in the country.

“The issue of disparity in oil prices has adverse implications on the economic development and may very well exacerbate poverty in the province because it undermines the capacity of Negros Occidental to attract investments and generate more jobs for Negrenses,” said Benitez.

The congressman said that intervention by the government was necessary. He said the state was obligated to uphold and protect the welfare of the general public and not a few private entities that may have been taking advantage of the situation.

Benitez was not the only lawmaker who wanted an investigation on the disparity between fuel prices in Manila and the provinces. /INQUIRER