Whisper of Our Crippling Nation

TRINA CANDELARIA
The Isotopes
Editorial Writing
September 23, 2008

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Oil price irregularities these days are totally baffling out the Filipino people.

As we track the previous hikes and its counterpart, erratic rollbacks in the prices of oil, it seems to be an increasing and decreasing trend that contributes to the nationwide confusion, especially to public and private drivers and commuters.

The country's three major oil giants Petron, Shell and Caltex apparently slashed the oil rates of diesel, gasoline and kerosene by P4 per liter in conformity with the descent trend of the oil costs in the world market.

Of course, it is anticipated that whenever global market plummeted its oil value at atleast $86 per barrel, local oil institutions in the Philippines, and in other countries as well, will follow due to the fearing state of the oil banks regarding the US credit crisis that will probably lead to restrain in oil demands.

Some smaller oil firms here in the Philippines matched the current cut off of the three oil giants by P1 per liter cheaper. That's the folly of the Oil Deregulation Law that implies lower price of fuel through open competition among many players.

But actually, there's no really what-you-call competition. Bet it's only for show. These smaller firms that abased the cost of their products has a smaller contribution to the total national oil expenses.

These circumstances just concur to the people's turndown in local oil price dealings. Oil firms, whether giant or non-giant, should first attain stability, eschewing "consistent inconsistency".

If the only aim is to conform with the global standards, irregularities must totally be dropped out. For sure, we have separations in other matters, thus, we shouldn't just rely on the global happenings.

Institutions must put a final decision on the crisis. They really ought to listen in every whisper of our crippling nation.