ILOILO — Mounting fuel price hikes have triggered discontent across Panay Island, with consumer groups, farmers, and educators demanding the repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law, warning that unchecked pricing is pushing ordinary Filipinos deeper into economic hardship.
Advocacy groups said the current policy allows oil companies to dictate prices with minimal government control, leaving consumers vulnerable to constant increases that ripple across transport, food, and basic household expenses.
“The recent increases in transportation fares are a significant worry for us. While we educators may feel this pressure, it is not just us; our families are equally affected. The rising prices of oil impact various essential needs at home, including rice and other food items,” said Rolando Asis, a retired teacher and member of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers-Panay.
Asis underscored the strain on educators whose salaries have remained stagnant despite rising costs.
“Our calls for an increase in salaries are more crucial than ever. Currently, we earn only P30,000 each month after deductions, and we advocate for a salary of P50,000 a month for Teacher 1 positions. The current economic climate, fueled by escalating oil prices, has made this adjustment necessary,” he added.
Farmers also echoed similar concerns, saying higher fuel costs are cutting into already thin margins and threatening agricultural productivity.
“Fuel is essential for our farming activities, and with prices going up, it has become increasingly difficult to purchase what we need. The struggle is real, both for our day-to-day survival and for sustaining our crops,” said Rowena, a maize farmer from Pavia.
She said the crisis has forced families to take on multiple jobs just to survive.
“Instead of focusing on one job, I have to take on three or four different roles just to make ends meet. My husband works steadily in the fields, but with costs rising, our combined income is barely enough to cover basic needs. The price hikes have created tremendous challenges for us to continue our maize farming,” she said.
Youth and consumer advocates criticized what they described as the government’s slow and inadequate response to the crisis.
“It is frustrating to witness the government’s inaction. They seem focused only on monitoring price increases instead of providing immediate assistance to those in need, which includes not only drivers but also students, farmers, and fishermen who rely on fuel for their livelihoods,” said Crimson Labinghisa, secretary general of Anakbayan Panay.
He added that government support, including a P5,000 subsidy, falls short of addressing the scale of the problem.
The Panay Consumers Alliance (PCA) called for immediate tax relief, noting that value-added tax and excise taxes account for up to 30 percent of pump prices.
“Without addressing the underlying taxation issues, merely tinkering with prices isn’t enough,” the group said, reiterating its call for the repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law.
John Ian Alenciaga, deputy secretary general of Bayan Panay, pointed to rising fuel prices as evidence of weak regulatory control.
“This scenario showcases the severe exploitation occurring among oil companies due to the lack of effective government control. Even the smallest price increases can translate to substantial profits when you consider the hundreds of millions of liters consumed daily,” he said.
Alenciaga noted that diesel prices have increased by nearly one peso, gasoline by almost two pesos, and kerosene by about 4.35 pesos, adding further pressure on consumers.
With global tensions continuing to drive oil price volatility, groups warned that without decisive government intervention, more families could be pushed into deeper poverty.
They stressed that the growing clamor across sectors reflects not just frustration, but an urgent demand for structural reforms to protect consumers and livelihoods./PN
