Group wants gov't to address high oil prices

MANILA, Philippines - Various personalities yesterday launched a group that called on the Aquino administration to undertake all possible measures to lower oil prices.

The Coalition Against Oil Price Increases (CAOPI) said prices of petroleum products have risen from nine to10 times this year.

“We are not satisfied with the reaction of the Aquino administration which has rejected calls for the reduction or suspension of the value added tax (VAT) on petroleum products.”

The coalition said the government has not done much to address the problem and urged the Aquino government to act immediately.

In a statement, the group said that it was supporting any and all possible measures to bring down oil prices, from the reduction, suspension or removal of the VAT on oil, the review or repeal of the oil deregulation law, a probe into the pricing schemes of oil companies and a rollback in prices.

“It is not true that government is helpless. There are many options and possibilities for lowering oil prices. These range from short-term measures to medium- and long-term proposals. We call on the Filipino people to rally behind these calls,” the group, which was launched at the University of the Philippines-Diliman campus, said.

The listed convenors of the group include Marikina Councilor Joseph Banzon, UP Prof. Danilo Arao, Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay, Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño, Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano, Gabriela Rep. Luz Ilagan, Donald Dee of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Elvira Medina of the National Council for Commuter Protection, Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes, former Negros Rep. Jacinto Paras, Bayan dela Cruz of the National Economic Protectionism Association, and Sonny Africa of IBON.