By CESAR JOLITO III The Bacolod City council has passed a resolution calling on the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to take strict action against hoarding and price manipulation of petroleum products amid the economic impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Authored by Councilor Wilson …
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Return to fold | Rebel remnants in Negros urged to surrender
By CESAR JOLITO III The 3rd Infantry Division (ID) of the Philippine Army has renewed its call for remaining insurgents in Negros Island to abandon armed struggle and return to the government, stressing that decades of insurgency have only caused suffering and hindered development in local communities. According to 3ID Public Affairs Office chief Jessie …
No fare hike push | Transport groups cope with rising fuel prices
By CESAR JOLITO III Several transport groups in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental have announced that they have no plans to increase fares or stage a transport strike despite the continued rise in petroleum prices triggered by tensions in the Middle East. Leaders of local transport organizations said operators and drivers agreed to maintain the …
Relief rollout | Bacolod eyes fuel subsidy; transport groups seek aid
By CESAR JOLITO III The Bacolod City government is studying the possible rollout of additional fuel subsidies for public utility vehicle (PUV) and tricycle drivers as fuel prices continue to rise due to global market pressures, particularly developments in the Middle East. Mayor Greg Gasataya said the city is exploring ways to extend financial assistance …
Lessen the burden | Private sector, gov’t to cushion rising fuel costs
By CESAR JOLITO III Efforts are underway to mitigate the effects of increasing fuel costs, particularly in industries heavily dependent on fuel, such as transportation, logistics and delivery services, the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) said. MBCCI President Juliana Carbon said the local private sector is working closely with the government to …
Conservation policy | NegOcc, Bacolod roll out power, fuel saving measures
By CESAR JOLITO III Rising fuel prices forced the Negros Occidental provincial and Bacolod City governments to implement separate power and fuel conservation measures, including a compressed four-day work week, as part of the national government’s contingency measures to address the impact of the ongoing Middle East crisis on the country. In his Executive Order …
Conflict of attrition | Middle East war drives up living costs, group says
By CESAR JOLITO III The People’s Coalition for Good Governance (PCGG) issued an urgent appeal for swift government intervention as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East threatens to push oil prices higher and deepen the economic strain on Filipino workers and consumers. PCGG convenor Wennie Sancho warned that rising fuel costs linked to the …
Keep ‘sweet’ talks | SRA endorses gov’t sugar purchase to aid farmers
By CESAR JOLITO III The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has agreed to support the direct government purchase of domestic sugar, a move backed by the Confederation of Sugar Producers Association (Confed) and the National Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry (Nacusip), aimed at helping sugar farmers cope with a sharp decline in sugar mill …
Collapse nears? | Sugar industry a ‘market failure,’ planters warn
By CESAR JOLITO III The Philippine sugar industry is no longer merely in crisis but is now facing what planters describe as a near-total market collapse, as sugar prices plunge to historic lows and trading activity grinds to a halt. In a strongly worded statement, the Binalbagan-Isabela Planters Association (BIPA) said it is issuing its …
Economic strain | Middle East conflict threatens fuel prices, jobs
By CESAR JOLITO III The General Alliance of Workers Association (GAWA) warned that the Philippines may face significant economic headwinds as tensions in the Middle East escalate, potentially driving up oil prices and straining workers and consumers nationwide. GAWA Secretary General Wennie Sancho said the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel could disrupt …