Now that most of our cities and provinces are declared under alert level 1, we can see the possibility of face-to-face activities being brought to the surface. This includes offices, classes, businesses, and the likes. This means we also get to go out every more often, resulting in more expenses on commuting, or gasoline if we have our own vehicles. However, as a new crisis arises around the world, headaches just didn’t stop for us. With the lowering number of COVID-19 cases in the country, so did the rising price of oil and gasoline come.

It was just recently, that I observed how the prices of oil skyrocketed. Well, the oil price is always varying and shifting, but reaching 70 pesos per litter convinced me that it really did hike to the top. This makes the value of our money less in terms of gasoline. We remember how gasoline was once around 30 to 40 pesos, which means, your 100 can already fill your tank up to 2-3 liters. But vehicle wheels are indeed round. Ridiculous how fast the night changes. Now your 100 pesos can only give you a liter, resulting in more expenses.

Reflecting on how we already are struggling with the pandemic, which doesn’t even have a guaranteed ending yet, this becomes a huge and serious problem for those who are financially unstable, as well as those who had their schools and workplace far from residence. Imagine if you suddenly ran out of gasoline on the highways because you used to gas up at a fixed budget every day. Experts, including Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez, concluded and emphasized that the disruptions in global supply and prices of oil were caused by the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

In a statement on Wednesday, House ways and means panel chairman Rep. Joey Salceda said that gasoline prices could rise by about 11 pesos per liter next week, considering that current crude prices are already at $127 per barrel. Should this happen, not only would it affect our travel and transportation, but it could also affect our daily life in all aspects. Transportation is one of the most essential things we need in order to get jobs done. With this being put at stake, this would drag down along with it the productivity of Filipinos.

In an interview with CNN Philippines, when asked if this could eventually surge to 100 pesos, Department of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi replied, “Whether it is possible, it is possible depending on how high it will hit in the world market, which we are all hoping and praying won’t happen.”

​

​