ACT Now! STATEMENT ON OIL CRISIS
The Big Three (Shell, Petron, Caltex) + Gloria Macapagal Arroyo =
THE WORST OIL CRISIS EVER
$143/barrel…the gross price of oil in the world market as of July1.
But how do these prices go up?
|
Petroleum Products |
2007 |
Since 2001 (GMA’s term) |
Since 1996 (implementation of Oil Deregulation Law) |
|
Unleaded |
18% |
147% |
357% |
|
Regular |
20% |
146% |
352% |
|
Diesel |
15% |
172% |
434% |
|
LPG |
16% |
no data |
356% |
|
Based from the data of Department of Energy |
|||
Unabated jumps in the prices of petroleum products continue in the Philippines. Prices of gasoline and diesel have gone up 16 times, and by no less than P12 a liter, since last January alone. Gasoline and diesel prices have jumped by P15.01 and P14.00 a liter, respectively, since the start of the year.
In April 1996, the time when the Oil Deregulation Law was implemented, gasoline was only P9.50/liter, diesel P7.03. But after 12 years, the unleaded gasoline is now priced at P59.47/liter and diesel at P58.48, a whooping 626% increase for gasoline, and 746% for diesel.
The speculation in the market worsens the world oil crisis. It is estimated that speculation now comprises as much as 60% of the current global prices.
But the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC, the biggest supplier of oil in the world)—said that these speculations are not true. According to the report of International Energy Agency (IEA) last 2006, that there are still 1.3 trillion barrels reserved, enough for the world to survive in the next 42 years, based on the current level of consumption.
20% of the local price increased since 2005 because of the Value Added Tax (VAT)
Together with the Oil Deregulation Law, the 12% VAT on petroleum products is among the major factors that unjustly increase local pump prices. The Arroyo regime continues to ignore the call of the Filipino people to scrap VAT on oil products as a doable measure to immediately bring down pump prices.
12% VAT Cancellation: the most feasible measure
Scrapping the VAT on oil remains the most immediately doable policy option which can significantly lower pump prices and and provide relief to the consumers. Based on the prevailing prices in NCR as of 28 June, VAT cancellation can immediately bring down prices of gasoline by P7.13/liter and diesel by P7.09. Without VAT, a jeepney driver (using 30 liters of diesel per daily trip) can save as much as P150 and a tricycle driver (using 4 liters of unleaded gasoline per daily trip) as much as P23.21.
Thomasians + other youth and students + other sectors=
The Filipino fight against economic crisis
Given the current Philippine economic situation, the Filipino people continue to struggle against the quicksand of poverty. Eighty percent of the population lives below the poverty line, spending only $2/day (approximately P84); and 160,000 Filipinos increase in number for every 10% hike in fuel prices.
The disgustful administration has made the Filipino more ready to fight for justice and their rights. Amidst the deteriorating crisis in the country, the regime has abandoned its people, abandoned its primary responsibility to serve the interests of the broad masses. The Arroyo regime served its selfish and immoral interests—from the filthy cases of corruption (Fertilizer Fund Scam, MegaPacific Deal, Swine Fund Scam, Hello Garci, NBN-ZTE Deal, and other anomalous cases), to the brutal cases of human rights abuses and violations.
These are the awful truths that the Filipinos are facing right now and it goes to show that the Arroyo regime is extremely greedy and lustful for power and money. The President has fully implemented the Oil Deregulation Law and other neo-liberal policies detrimental to the whole Philippine economy.
The Filipino People have all the rights to uprise. The Filipino People have all the rights to refuse. Now is the time for us to unite against severe political and economic depression towards a new and democratic society.
Now is the right time, fellow Thomasian.
Join our actions!
July 10- National Day of Protest
July 18- National Day of Walkout
July 28- State of the Nation Adress
Alliance of Concerned Thomasians
For details, questions, comments and suggestions, please contact 09179180611 or 0927926216
References:
www.bayan.net; www.bulatlat.com; Anakbayan; League of Filipino Students; Philippine Daily Inquirer
July 7, 2008 at 2:05 am
Filipinos really love to blame other people ne?
Can’t we just scrap the Oil Deregulation Law and stop scrapping presidents our people vote?
*sigh*
I don’t get it why Filipinos can’t act for themselves. Always looking for someone to do the job for them- yeah, make an uprising and topple the president, then get another president to do what the people want.
Are we a country of slaves and slavemakers? Ugh. This is getting absurd…
July 7, 2008 at 2:52 am
Ok, now let me answer your points.
We need to get control of the prices of basic commodities. The people have the perfect right to these things so it is only right that they demand from their government. Oil for instance should be nationalized. On an attainable stage as of the moment, scrap the the EVAT on oil that brings more burden to the people.
In terms of having an uprising: It is justifiable to take actions into the people’s hand. If the powers that be commit treason against the people; they have no right to stay in power. An uprising gives the immediate solution to a problem. Take EDSA 1 as an example, it brought a fascist dictator down. EDSA 2, it stopped the corruption of Joseph Estrada’s regime. Though what we have as of today is far more worse than yesterday, it has been proven to make a palliative for the people’s hungry stomach.
July 8, 2008 at 12:27 am
President Arroyo, being the head of the Philippine state who was not voted by the Filipino people, is criminally culpable in all these economic unrest. Why? Because she lets the oil industry monopolized (through oil deregulation law and other deregulating policies) in the middle of widespread poverty and hunger. Of course this leprechaun knows what is the current situation of our country but obviously, she does not want to take any action on this turmoil. She ignores to scrap VAT (the most possible way to decrease prices) even though there are bills in the Congress passed by our lawmakers since November last year.
Well if this president is really concerned for the welfare of the Filipino people, then she WILL KNOW what kills them–those are the deregulating and liberal economic policies that sells our country to Arroyo’s masters.
Actually, RonVsXIII, you are right that we are a country of slaves and slavemakers. Until the Imperialists stopped ruining our country, the Philippines will continue to export its resources; both natural and its own people.