global fuel crisis

DESPITE the deregulation of the oil industry, the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) retain sufficient authority to investigate and act against unreasonable increases in petroleum prices, House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan said on Sunday.

“Under the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Law of 1998, a DOE–DOJ Task Force was established with specific investigative and enforcement powers to address excessive and unjustified increases in petroleum product prices,” Libanan said.

“Through this task force, the two departments must take decisive and forceful action to safeguard consumers against potential pricing abuses, considering that we are now under a state of national energy emergency,” he added.

Libanan stressed that protecting consumers should remain a top priority amid highly volatile global oil markets.

“Consumer protection must be paramount. Filipino families should not be made to bear the burden of unjustified fuel price increases, especially when global oil prices are already easing,” Libanan said.

The ongoing U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict, which began in late February, triggered a sharp surge in global oil prices, although recent ceasefire signals have introduced significant volatility.

After peaking at nearly $120 per barrel in March following the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, oil prices have since declined to around $90 per barrel as of April 17.

Meanwhile, local oil industry players have faced mounting criticism over alleged overpricing, profiteering, and possible collusion to keep prices elevated.

Libanan, a lawyer by profession, pointed out that under Republic Act No. 8479, the DOE-DOJ Task Force functions as an investigative and quasi-enforcement body that:

· Conducts investigations into potential overpricing on its own initiative

· Receives and evaluates complaints on oil pricing and possible collusion

· Recommends or initiates legal action

· Supports enforcement

Section 14 (d) of the law reads as follows: “Any report from any person of an unreasonable rise in the prices of petroleum products shall be immediately acted upon. For this purpose, the creation of the DOE-DOJ Task Force is hereby mandated to determine within 30 days the merits of the report and initiate the necessary actions warranted under the circumstance; provided, that nothing herein shall prevent the said task force from investigating and/or filing the necessary complaint with the proper court or agency motu proprio.”

THE MATINA Community Pantry and Konsensya Dabaw set up a relief initiative, “Kusina sa Katawhan Hinabang alang sa mga Drayber,” on Monday, April 6, to provide aid to the transport sector heavily hit by rising fuel prices.

The group, which also relies on donations, distributed rice packs (three kilos each) to a total of 251 jeepney, taxi, and tricycle drivers outside the CVA Building along J.P. Laurel Avenue.

Mags Maglana, Konsyensya Dabaw co-convenor, said the program follows a philosophy of mutual aid, encouraging participants to contribute what they can and take only what they require.

“Importante nga karong mga nanginahangaln karon mahatagan nato sila og hinabang, ang prinsipyo namo mao man sad ni prinsipyo sa ubang community pantries,” Maglana said in an interview.

Maglana acknowledged the program offers temporary relief and emphasized the need for a systematic solution to address the fuel crisis.

“Kasabot mi nga isa lang ni ka hinanaling solusyon sa problema nato karon kay naa man gyud krisis naninahangalan og mas sistematikong tubag gikan sa gobyerno para gyud kining presyo sa krudo,” Maglana said.

She challenged big corporations in the city to extend their corporate social responsibility to the transport sector, among the most vulnerable affected by the rising fuel prices.

Maria Loreto Lopez, Matina Community Pantry co-founder, said the initiative stemmed from the interview with drivers who expressed their immediate need for rice.

Lopez reported that drivers usually bring home P600-P1000 before the fuel price skyrockets, but now, it only leaves them P250-P300 for the whole 16-hour trip.

“Gusto kasi nila rice para may mauwi talaga sila sa kanilang bahay, kasi wala na silang mauwi,” Lopez said.

She emphasized that the initiative to provide boiled eggs and rice cakes is to temporarily alleviate the hunger of drivers who ply their routes early, as some reported having skipped meals to prioritize trips.

Lopez said another round of distribution is to be set, dependent on the donations they receive, but a community cookout through Art Relief Mobile Kitchen will provide cooked meals to drivers on Tuesday, April 7, for Quirino route drivers.

On April 1, Konsyensya Dabaw also provided 62 packs of rice for Youth Advocates for Pro-People Transportation (YAPPT) Network which launched the pantry on April 1.

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Libanan: DOE, DOJ must crack down on unjustified fuel price increases

Matina Community Pantry, Konsyensya Dabaw aid public utility vehicle drivers