by Leonardo Micua
As diesel prices soared to P101.20 per liter and premium gasoline to P82.20 per liter on March 17, Mayor Belen Fernandez summoned gasoline station operators in Dagupan to a meeting at City Hall. There, she urged them to refrain from exploiting customers amid the oil crisis linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
“We addressed the gasoline station owners about their operating hours and the recent surge in fuel prices due to escalating tensions in the Middle East,” Fernandez stated.
She made it clear that the Dagupan City Government’s stance is firm: “We will continue to work with gasoline station owners to ensure proper inventory levels, prevent hoarding, and confirm that every liter dispensed to our constituents is accurate.”
During a prior meeting with DILG City Director Royoleta Rosario, the relevant policies regarding fuel supply for vehicles and industries were also discussed.
Attending the meeting were City Legal Officer Atty. Aurora Valle, Public Order and Safety Office Chief Arvin Decano, and General Service Office Head Engr. Camilo Cayabyab.
“What is paramount is clarity in information and ensuring that every consumer is safeguarded against deception and misinformation,” Fernandez emphasized, appealing for collective cooperation. “We are all in this together. Let us collaborate.”
With diesel now at P102.20 per liter, many jeepney drivers expressed reluctance to continue plying their routes, as they can barely earn enough to feed their families.
They voiced concerns that the promised government subsidy of P5,000 per driver offers little relief amid the relentless rise in fuel prices tied to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
They urged the warring parties in the region to cease hostilities and resolve their issues through genuine diplomacy.