A small group of pedicab drivers in Dumaguete City took to the streets yesterday afternoon, in support of the nationwide protest against fuel price increases.

The caravan went around the main thoroughfares, sounding their horns, and waving placards that called on the government to scrap the value-added tax and the Oil Deregulation law.

Traffic slowed down but was not entirely disrupted, with the line of pedicabs staying in one lane and stopping briefly in front of City Hall, so protesters could air their sentiments to city officials on bullhorns.

The protest was highlighted with a planking activity at Perdices Street, with protesters lying on the street holding placards, that said: “Scrap VAT on oil,” “Rollback Fuel Price by P9.00 on diesel and by P10.00 on premium gasoline”.

They also called on the public to resist and fight the Oil Deregulation law, junk the Mining Act of 1995, and for an investigation of the alleged oil cartel in the country.

Motorists and drivers have been complaining about the high fuel prices in Dumaguete and other parts of Negros Oriental, compared to pump prices in Cebu, Metro Manila, and other highly-urbanized areas.

Prices of gasoline and diesel fuel have gone beyond the P60 per liter mark in Dumaguete, with many complaining that, in other parts of the country, the price ranges from P50 to P55 per liter only.

It was also noted that gasoline stations in the city have uniform prices whereas in Cebu and other areas, pumping stations carrying different brand names are selling gasoline and diesel at varied prices.

The protesters were led by Eddie Lazaro, ND Motor Piston Dumaguete City chairman, and representatives of progressive groups such as Bayan, with provincial chairman Fabian Magallanes, Gabriela, Anakpawis Partylist, Anakbayan, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Samakana, ang Banica-Amihan.

Lazaro also called for the scrapping of City Ordinance 292 and a stop to the impending implementation of the color-coding scheme for pedicabs.*JFP and JG

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