Fuel Consumers Stockpile Diesel as Prices Hit ₱75 per Liter in North Cotabato
Fuel consumers in North Cotabato have begun stockpiling diesel, seeking cheaper alternatives as prices surge to ₱75 per liter. Motorists flocked to a gas station in Libungan, where prices were ₱5 lower than other stations, filling large containers to secure supplies.
In Kidapawan City, Mayor Paolo Evangelista warned against profiteering, activating the Local Price Coordinating Council led by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). In a March 9 statement, he threatened to revoke business permits—especially for gas stations—that exceed Department of Energy (DOE) price caps. The city is also monitoring essential goods like rice and canned goods, with overpricing considered economic sabotage.
To cushion the impact, Evangelista announced fuel subsidies for tricycle drivers to prevent fare hikes, urging the public to report overcharging. Meanwhile, Sultan Kudarat Governor Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu proposed a return to online or modular learning to reduce commuting costs for students and teachers. He also called for a suspension of excise taxes to ease financial strain, warning that without intervention, poverty could worsen. (Ferdinandh B. Cabrera/MindaNews)
