Oil firms hike pump prices

MANILA, Philippines - Due to the continuing rise in international oil prices, Shell, Petron, Chevron, Total and Eastern Petroleum have raised their pump prices anew.

In an advisory sent to media, the oil firms said they will increase their unleaded gasoline by P1.40 per liter, regular gasoline by P1 per liter and kerosene by 30 centavos per liter.

There would be no price adjustment for diesel.

The new oil price hike was implemented by the oil companies effective May 3.

Before the price adjustment, gasoline products in the market were sold at a range of P55 to P61 per liter.

Meanwhile, the Department of Energy (DOE) is optimistic that card distribution for the Public Transport Assistance Program (PTAP), otherwise known as the Pantawid Pasada Program, will remain orderly and efficient as the DOE started distributing the Pantawid Pasada Cards on May 2, 2011 at Camp Crame, Quezon City.

In a short message, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras said that the program was made possible through the concerted efforts of the various members in the Inter-Agency Energy Contingency Committee (IECC).

Last April, the IECC recommended the assistance program for jeepney drivers during the summer when the riding population is low.

The DOE likewise thanked the various transport groups for their support for the program. The coordination of the various transport groups, which includes the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP), Pangkalahatang Sanggunian Manila & Suburbs Drivers Association (Pasang Masda), Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (ALTODAP), and Land Transport Organization of the Philippines (LTOP), ensured the efficient distribution of the cards last Monday.

On May 4 and 5, distribution will continue and will cover jeepneys whose routes originate from Alabang as well as jeepneys with routes originating from A. Luna, A. Rivera, A. Bonifacio, Almanza, Amorsolo, Amparo,Angono, Anonas Aurora, Antipolo, Araneta, UN, Arroceros, and Ayala.

On May 6, the fifth batch of jeepneys from Baclaran will start getting their cards. On May 9, jeepneys from Bacood, Bagbaguin, Bagong Barrio, Bagong Nayon, Bagong Silang, Bagumbayan, Bagumbong, Balara, and Balic-Balic will get their respective cards.

To expedite the processing and the redemption of cards, the DOE has requested franchise holders to bring the original and photocopy of the current Confirmation Certificate from the Land Transportation and Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on the day of the distribution.

If this is not feasible, the beneficiaries are requested to bring their original and photocopy of their Certificate of Public Convenience (Decision/Order), a photocopy of their OR (this should be valid from April 2010 to March 2011) and CR, an original and a photocopy of at least one valid government-issued photo-ID.

Card bearers are also reminded that the card will only be ready for use four days after its issuance. The card will also only be valid for fuel purchases.

For more information on the distribution and the Pantawid Pasada Program, concerned parties may call: (02) 984-6381, or send a text message to the following: Globe 0917 556-0759; 0917 480-3488, Smart 0947392-5378, and Sun 0932 778-6494.

Shell said it fully supports the government’s Pantawid Pasada program launched in Camp Crame the other day.

Around 200 Shell stations nationwide are being readied to accept the government-issued Pantawid Pasada cards, which jeepney drivers may use to purchase fuels.

“We continue to support the government in providing assistance to the transport sector,” Roberto Kanapi, Shell vice president for Communications, said.

Kanapi said through Shell’s Pepeng Pasada Club, loyal public utility vehicle drivers can receive various benefits such as free accident insurance and various rewards like home appliances, among others, in exchange for points.

In 2009, Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. (PSFI) partnered with the Public Transport Workers Foundation to provide scholarships and training programs to dependents of public utility vehicle drivers, operators and workers, under the program Gas Mo Bukas Ko II. Since then, around 150 scholars have graduated under the program.

Oil firms, including Shell, are now being investigated by a task force created by the DOE and Department of Justice for their oil price adjustments carried out over the past weeks.

Trike drivers also receive Pantawid Pasada

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has also started distributing a one-time gasoline subsidy of P150 per tricycle unit to some 990,514 tricycle franchisees.

“We hope that through this program, we will somehow be able to help tricycle owners in bearing the brunt of the oil price increases,” DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo said.

Of the 990,514 tricycle franchise owners who stand to benefit from the program, Robredo said 27 percent or 268,949 are from Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), 22 percent or 221,392 are from Central Luzon, and 10.5 percent or 103,986 are from Metro Manila.

The DILG on Friday released the implementing guidelines of the Pantawid Pasada program.

Robredo said the concerned DILG regional office shall forge a memorandum of agreement with the concerned local chief executives who shall in turn cause the preparation and certification of the list of tricycle franchisees, addresses and number of operating tricycles.

He added that the list shall serve as reference document in the computation of the subsidy by the DILG regional and field offices.

Prior to the release of the subsidy, the mayors, in coordination with DILG field officials, are expected to conduct a local government-wide information drive, devise a system to effect an organized and orderly distribution of tricycle transport financial subsidy to the beneficiary-tricycle franchisees and ensure that only those included in the certified list shall benefit from the subsidy.

Robredo said it shall be the responsibility of the local government units (LGUs) concerned to strictly implement the provisions of the EO, rules and regulations relative to the tricycle subsidy program.

“In case of any violation, the official authorizing the same shall be held responsible for whatever expenses the government incurred for not strictly following said issuances,” he stressed.

Robredo directed all DILG regional directors to cause the immediate and widest dissemination of the directive to LGUs within their areas and provide them with necessary administrative advice and support to ensure the successful implementation of subsidy program. – Cecille Suerte Felipe