The United Negros Drivers Operators Center Inc. is calling on the public to join its march rally on Thursday in support of the call of the Pinagkaisang Samahang ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide for a review of the Downstream Oil Deregulation Law and oil price increases.

UNDOC secretary general Jessie Ortega, said in an interview over DYRL, yesterday that they believe that without the support of the people, they will not attain their cause.

The march protest will start at 2 p.m. from Lupit Church and end at the Bacolod Fountain of Justice.

A press release from the group said. UNDOC is demanding for the scrapping of the Oil Deregulation Law and E-VAT on petroleum products, calling for an investigation of the oil price disparity in Negros compared to other provinces, and the short-selling of petroleum products.

UNDOC said they are calling for a “national day of protest” because only this year, until the end of February, the price of petroleum products had gone up seven times.

The group said the pump price of diesoline has reached P50.65, regular gasoline – P60.15, premium gasoline – P61.95, kerosene – P58, and Liquified petroleum gas (LPG 11kl/cylinder) – P985.

While they are being badly battered by these oil price increases, the national government is doing nothing to mitigate its economic impact on the people, UNDOC claimed.

The group said they were dismayed by the statement of the Energy Secretary that “We cannot stop oil companies if they raise the prices of oil because we are under the deregulated industry,” which they said is an open declaration of government’s failure to protect the interest of the Filipino people.

The press statement was signed by Ortega, acting UNDOC chairman Ernie Pagayon and acting vice chairman Nilo Frias.*CGS

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