MANILA, Philippines — Transport group MANIBELA on Tuesday announced that it will hold a transport strike on July 22-23 amid the latest oil price hike.
In a press conference, MANIBELA chairperson Mar Valbuena said the strike could possibly extend until July 24.
The group specifically called on the Department of Energy to look and hold accountable oil companies for “baseless” oil price increases.
"Hindi na maaaring manahimik ang transport sector habang tila pinababayaan tayo ng pamahalaan, partikular ng ng Department of Energy (DOE), ang sunod-sunod na oil price hike na nagpapalubog sa kabuhayan ng mga tsuper, ng mga mahihirap, at mga ordinaryong Pilipino," said Valbuena.
Valbuena criticized DOE for supposedly being “content” watching oil companies dictate market pump prices.
“Humihingi tayo ng pagpapaliwanag sa bawat taas ng presyo ng mga produktong petrolyo, pero tila nagiging abogado ng mga oil companies itong si Sharon Garin ng Department of Energy," he added.
Various transport groups earlier sought for a P2 fare hike amid the higher cost of fuel products.
Retailers announced another round of pump prices this week following the re-escalation of tensions between the United States and Iran in the Middle East.
