Boholanos stood as one in denouncing the continued increase in fuel prices during the past two months, the latest of which came yesterday.
The latest fuel cost adjustment implemented starting yesterday morning pegged another .50 per liter hike on unleaded and regular gasoline while another P1 per liter for diesel and .75 per liter on kerosene.
The hike brought the price of unleaded gasoline from P55.25 per liter to P55.75; regular gasoline from P51.05 per liter to P51.55; diesel from P44.65 to P45.65 per liter; kerosene from P49.25 to P50 per liter.
These new pump prices are confirmed to be higher compared to other provinces, an issue which has been raised to top provincial officials.
During a fuel summit, Gov. Edgar Chatto said that if this problem can not be resolved, he will bring the matter to the Regional Development Council (RDC-7) which will meet first week of February in Cebu City.
It maybe noted that Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia has filed formal complaints against some gasoline dealers for the high prices they insist to tag in Cebu.
During that summit, the Bohol governor invited other industry players from Manila for them to open their outlets in the city.
Chatto is of the belief that once other industry players will come to the province, the prices of the big three oil companies distributing fuel here will be reduced once the prices become competitive.
Observers noted that this problem on high fuel prices in the province is due to the controlled distribution by the outlets of the three top gas companies - Shell, Petron and Caltex.
With the recent increase of fuel prices, Boholano motorists noted the sudden opening of several gasoline stations in the province, indicating the lucrative profit these local gas station owners are raking with the high prices being implemented in Bohol.
Tricycle operators are clamoring for an increase in the minimum fare after the series of hike in fuel prices since December last year.
The present minimum fare for tricycle in the city is P7.
Taxi charges P30, and P2.50 for every succeeding 300 meters. The recently approved P40 is not yet implemented here pending the calibration of taxi meters by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
Vans are also on status quo fares until these days despite the successive fuel price adjustments. (Anthony Ranoa Aniscal)
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