Trike Drivers in Agusan del Sur Lament Soaring Gasoline Prices

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — Tricycle drivers in this town have decried gasoline prices that are reportedly P10 to P15 higher than those in neighboring municipalities, stressing it made it harder for them to make ends meet. This developed as a local official noted that gasoline prices here are being sold almost at the same price, which left consumers without a choice. On Tuesday, another round of mixed oil price adjustments took effect, with gasoline prices projected to decrease, while diesel and kerosene are likely to increase. Based on estimates from the Department of Energy (DOE), gasoline prices may go down by P1.75 per liter or increase by as much as P0.25 per liter, depending on the pricing decisions of oil companies. Diesel prices, meanwhile, are expected to rise by P1.57 to P3.57 per liter, while kerosene could increase by P1.70 to P3.70 per liter. Jonathan Perez, a tricycle driver plying the Zone 1 route around the San Francisco town center, said gasoline prices in most fuel stations here range from ₱87 to ₱89 per liter. He noted that those prices are significantly higher compared to those in the nearby towns of Prosperidad and Rosario in Agusan del Sur, as well as Barobo and Tagbina in Surigao del Sur. Perez said he visited Tagbina last Sunday and observed that gasoline was being sold at around ₱72 per liter in local gas stations, while a fuel station in Barangay Tambis, Barobo priced gasoline at ₱75 per liter. Another driver, who hails from Prosperidad town, said gasoline prices there range only from ₱78 to ₱81 per liter. “The gasoline boys always tell us that the reason fuel prices are higher in San Francisco is because taxes imposed by the local government are high. But how come they only pay taxes once a year?” Perez asked. He said the high cost of gasoline has greatly affected his family’s daily income. He noted that he earns only around ₱200 to ₱300 a day, making it harder to provide for their basic needs as gasoline prices soar. Sangguniang Bayan member John CD Paredes also observed that gasoline prices in San Francisco are, indeed, higher compared to those in neighboring towns. However, he also expressed concern over the apparent uniformity of gasoline prices among fuel stations in the town. “On a personal note, when businesses are supposed to be competing with each other, I have observed that most gasoline stations here have the same pump prices,” he observed. “Whether this is due to collusion or simply similar pricing decisions, the consumer is left with no choice because of the uniformity of prices,” he said. While Paredes said that gasoline prices in San Francisco are noticeably higher than in other towns, diesel prices appear to be comparable, and in some cases, even lower than those in nearby areas. He cited that under Republic Act 8479 or the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1998, oil companies are allowed to adjust pump prices based on supply, demand, foreign exchange rates, and other market factors without prior government approval. Paredes said the role of the LGU is limited “to administrative, safety, and oversight functions at the community level.” “Simply stated, the local government unit has no control over the pricing of fuel products,” Paredes said.