Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri is pushing for the suspension of the fuel excise tax amid the skyrocketing fuel prices, and for the stronger implementation of the Biofuels Act for alternative fuel sources.
A record big-time increase in the prices of petroleum products took effect Tuesday, at P5.85 per liter of diesel, P3.60 per liter of gasoline, and kerosene by P4.10 per liter.
“With these prices, we should consider the temporary suspension of the fuel excise tax to give our people some welcome respite from the weekly increase of fuel,” Zubiri said in a statement March 8, adding that the soaring fuel cost especially affects PUV operators and drivers, who are still trying to recover from the pandemic.
“Just when the economy is beginning to open back up and they finally have a chance to recoup, here comes an oil price surge to kill their momentum,” said the senator, who traces his roots to Negros Occidental.
“But suspending the excise tax is a short-term solution. So long as we are dependent on foreign oil, our prices will be dependent on the very volatile international arena as well. That is why we must strengthen our local alternative fuel sources, like biodiesel and bioethanol, which can be produced in the country,” he said.
Zubiri, who authored the Biofuels Act of 2006, said he wanted to create an alternative fuel program. “Unfortunately, the government never fully supported it, and there have been minimum investments in the country.”
He said there is also a need to promote electric vehicles. “Since we just ratified the Electric Vehicles and Charging Stations Act, which I also authored, we urge the government to fully implement this measure as soon as it’s law, so we can prioritize the sale and use of electric vehicles.”
Zubiri said there’s a need for full government implementation to start the shift toward alternative fuels. “As we’re seeing now, we cannot afford to be dependent on imported fuels. We have to cultivate our own fuel industries, and ensure that we have sustainable fuel sources that our people can depend on at all times.” | NND
