MANILA, Philippines - Militant transport group Piston on Wednesday scored the new round of oil price increase after the 4th State of the Nation Address of President Benigno Aquino III.
Piston national president George San Mateo said oil firms have increased by P.35 per liter of diesel and by P.50 on gasoline and P.50 for kerosene.
San Mateo said the fresh round of oil price hike was the 17th this year.
The average price of diesel in Metro Manila now stands at P43.55 while gasoline at P54.50, San Mateo added.
"Ang masaklap ay laging mas mataas ng P5 to P9 ang presyo ng diesel at gasolina sa mga lalawigan lalo na sa Kabisayaan at Mindanao kaya mas lalong hirap ang kalagayan ng mga drayber at mamamayan sa mga naturang lugar," San Mateo said.
He also criticized Aquino for his failure to control and regulate oil prices after he delivered his SONA last Monday.
"Malayong malayo sa tunay na kalagayan at katotohanang nararamdaman ng mga drayber sa kanilang pang-araw-araw na buhay," San Mateo said.
San Mateo said Piston members will prepare for a protest-rally on the third quarter of this year to air anew their opposition to the Oil Deregulation Law.