MANILA, Philippines – Hinamon ni Pwersa ng Pilipinong Pandagat (PPP) Party-list Rep. Harold Duterte ang pamahalaan na likhain ang Oil Price Stabilization Fund bilang tugon sa ‘Band-Aid’ Solutions na nagaganap ngayon sa bansa sa gitna ng patuloy na pagsirit ng presyo ng langis.
“Since the start of the conflict in the Middle East, the price of diesel has skyrocketed from ₱50 per liter to ₱170, with even more increases on the way. This is not just a statistic—this is a daily burden crushing Filipino drivers, workers, farmers, and small businesses.”
Tinukoy pa ng mambabatas na ang iniyatiba ng gobyerno na bawasan ang excise tax at pamimigay ng ayuda ay pawang pangmadaliang solusyon lamang.
“In response, the administration has pushed for excise tax cuts and selective cash assistance. But let’s be honest—these are stopgap solutions. They offer short-term relief, are not always the most equitable, and leave ordinary Filipinos to face the same problem again tomorrow. What we need are real, pro-people solutions.”
Ani Duterte, kung may OPSF ay makokontrol ng pamahalaan ang presyo ng langis sa bansa mula sa tensyon sa Gitnang Silangan
“We can establish an oil price stabilization fund to control diesel prices at the pump and protect our people from global shocks. And yes—we have the money to do this.”
Giit pa ng kongresista na ang ipinagmamalaking pondo ng administrasyon na ₱118 bilyon ay pawang naglaho dahil sa maanomalya umanong flood control project, “money that could have directly helped Filipinos struggling with rising fuel prices. And yet, the DPWH continues to enjoy a massive ₱529-billion budget. Gikawatan na dako, pero business as usual gihapon.”
Sa ngayon aniya ay marapat lamang na maglatag ng konkretong solusyon ang administrasyong Marcos hinggil sa krisis sa langis.
“Right now, the most urgent crisis is the rising cost of fuel—and the economic disaster that follows: higher transport fares, rising food prices, and deeper hardship for the poor. ₱118 billion could have been a lifeline. Naa unta kita bala sa giyera karon.”
Ngunit binigyang diin pa ni Rep. Duterte na sa halip na harapin ng mga kongresista ang krisis ay minamarapat pa umano ng mga ito na mamolitika.
“Instead of focusing on this crisis, some in the House have chosen to prioritize political distractions. But the Filipino people cannot eat politics. They cannot ride on speeches. They cannot survive on promises. They need relief. They need action. They need leadership.”
Kinuwestyon din ng kongresista na kung tunay na may pondo ang pamahalaan bakit walang tulong na inilalatag upang maproteksyunan ang mamamayan.
“As prices continue to climb and basic goods become harder to afford, the question remains—if we have the money, why are we not using it to protect our people?” giit pa ni Duterte. (Meliza Maluntag)
