MANILA, Philippines - A petroleum retailer in devastated Loon town in Bohol charges double at up to P100 per liter of gasoline despite government's declaration of state of calamity enforcing a price freeze throughout the province.
According to a DZMM radio report, the exorbitant gas prices in the earthquake-stricken town are due to damaged roads and bridges that delay deliveries of gasoline and other supplies.
Tricycle drivers are also complaining that motorists are only allowed to fill in one liter at a time, the report added.
Loon residents said that several local businesses are similarly taking advantage of the shortage in goods, hiking prices of food and water.
Ahmed Cuizon, regional director of the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB), had said that fuel retailers are forced to cut the hours of daily operations as vehicles have difficulty reaching the areas.
He said that this caused the increase in prices especially of bottled fuel.
President Benigno Aquino III had said, however, that reports on the critical petroleum supply in the quake-hit provinces are misleading and may incite fear.
"When we come up with statements the fuel supply is critical, the fear will increase. Let's just be careful. There is no issue. We are creating issues," Aquino said in a press briefing during his visit in Bohol last Wednesday.
He added that supplies are still enough to last for eight days. - Camille Diola