By Nimfa L. Estrellado Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Quezon attend a regular session at the session hall in Lucena City, where ...
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| Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Quezon attend a regular session at the session hall in Lucena City, where proposed measures on fuel tax relief and rising commodity prices were discussed. (Quezon PIO) |
LUCENA CITY, Quezon - The rising cost of fuel is increasingly straining the daily lives of Quezon residents across multiple sectors, particularly among drivers, farmers, and small business operators. In response to these concerns, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Quezon convened on April 20, 2026 in Lucena City to advance measures aimed at easing the burden on affected communities.
At least 13 board members were present during the session, allowing the body to proceed with legislative deliberations and formal actions. The board approved previous session records and recognized invited guests before turning to policy proposals centered on rising fuel costs.
Central to the discussion were proposals from Board Members Julius Jay F. Luces and John Joseph Aquivido, who pushed for the removal of excise taxes on diesel and gasoline. They also called for the deferment of the 12 percent Value-Added Tax (VAT) on essential goods and services in response to sustained price increases.
In his privilege speech, Luces emphasized that fuel prices remain a key driver of economic activity, directly affecting production and transportation costs across the country. He warned that rising fuel costs create a chain effect on transport, agriculture, and household expenses, placing additional pressure on ordinary consumers.
“Ang pagtaas ng presyo ng diesel at gasolina ay may domino effect sa kabuuang ekonomiya. Direktang naaapektuhan nito ang transportasyon, agrikultura, at araw-araw na gastusin ng mga Pilipino,” said Luces.
Expanding on this, Luces noted that increases in fuel prices extend beyond transportation and influence broader market conditions in significant ways. The impact, he said, is reflected in the rising cost of basic goods and the growing burden of everyday expenses.
“Kapag tumaas ang presyo ng petrolyo, hindi lamang transportasyon ang apektado kundi pati ang presyo ng mga pangunahing bilihin sa merkado. Ang epekto nito ay direktang nararamdaman ng mga ordinaryong mamamayan sa kanilang pang-araw-araw na pamumuhay,” he added.
Aquivido, for his part, underscored that increases in fuel prices do not occur in isolation but instead ripple across multiple sectors of the economy. He pointed out that these effects are immediately felt by industries and communities that rely heavily on fuel for their daily operations.
“Kapag tumaas ang presyo ng petrolyo, sunod-sunod na naaapektuhan ang iba’t ibang sektor ng ekonomiya. Hindi lamang negosyo kundi pati ang kabuhayan ng mga mamamayan ang direktang tinatamaan ng pagtaas ng presyo,” Aquivido said.
He also drew attention to the country’s heavy dependence on imported fuel and its continued exposure to movements in global prices and supply conditions. In such cases, international developments can quickly translate into higher costs that are directly felt by ordinary Filipino consumers.
“Ang Pilipinas ay lubos na umaasa sa inaangkat na langis kaya madaling tamaan ng paggalaw ng pandaigdigang merkado. Kapag tumaas ang presyo ng petrolyo, ramdam ito agad ng karaniwang mamamayan,” he said.
Against this backdrop, lawmakers noted that the Philippines remains heavily dependent on imported fuel for domestic consumption, making it vulnerable to shifts in global supply conditions. Reports cited during the session showed that global oil prices had climbed to around $96 per barrel, adding further pressure on local prices.
The discussion also highlighted the growing strain on the transportation sector as fuel costs continue to rise. Fuel expenses now account for an estimated 70 to 80 percent of operating costs, significantly reducing the earnings of drivers and operators.
Some drivers have reduced their operations or temporarily stopped working due to declining daily income and persistently high fuel expenses. This situation has reinforced calls for immediate intervention from both national and local authorities to prevent further economic disruption.
To address these concerns, two proposed resolutions were introduced urging Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Congress to act on fuel-related tax measures without delay. These include the temporary suspension of excise taxes on petroleum products and the easing of VAT on basic goods and services.
In line with these initiatives, the provincial board also approved ordinances authored by Aquivido to support localized responses to the issue. These measures are intended to provide immediate and practical relief from the economic effects of rising fuel prices on Quezon residents.
Aquivido said the approved measures are designed to provide immediate relief from rising fuel costs affecting multiple sectors. He added that the policies aim to ease pressure on transport, agriculture, and other sectors facing increasing operational expenses.
The provincial board is expected to forward its resolutions to national agencies for further action and policy consideration. Officials expressed hope that coordinated efforts between local and national governments will help stabilize fuel prices and reduce their impact on the public.
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