Last Dec. 12, I asked why gasoline in Manila, Seaoil’s P50.99 per liter, is costlier than the costliest in the US, $3.67 per gallon (P39.45 a liter) in San Francisco. The energy department’s Zenaida Y. Monsada, director of the oil industry management bureau, replies:
“To be exact, the $3.67/gallon in the US is equivalent to P42.285/liter, using the P43.61:$1 and 3.785 liters/gallon conversion.
“Comparing US and domestic gasoline prices would be unrealistic because:
“1. The US uses the West Texas Index, much lower than Philippine benchmark Dubai crude. Last Dec. 12 the WTI was $97.92 per barrel while Dubai was $106.86, a difference of almost $10. Reason: Asian oil demand is getting stronger, while the US is weakening due to its economic crisis.
“2. Gasoline in the US has a 91RON maximum quality, while premium gas in the Philippines has minimum of 93 RON.
“3. Gasoline in the Philippines is imposed an excise tax of P4.35/liter, plus 12-percent VAT, or approximately 19-percent tax. Tax on fuel in America, particularly San Francisco, is only about 16 percent.
“The above would be the main reasons why gasoline in the Philippines is costlier than in the US.”
Good Ms. Monsada brought up the tax angle, for it is a burden on Filipino consumers. US labor is so much higher than in the Philippines. California taxpayers get their money’s worth in the form of police protection, more and more freeways, clean air, etc. In the Philippines, taxes go to pork barrel in the three branches of government. One more thing: electricity in the Philippines, despite its cheaper labor, is costlier than in the US. And this again is due precisely to the higher fuel cost to produce power, and over-taxation for pork. It’s the system. Groan!
E-mail: jariusbondoc@gmail.comJarius Bondoc (The Philippine Star)
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands
#Report Corruption #SearchPosts #TakePicturesVideos
September –
5 Sept – Intl Day of Charity
7 Sept – Intl Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies
8 Sept – International Literacy Day
12 Sept – United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation
15 Sept – International Day of Democracy
16 Sept – International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
17 Sept – World Patient Safety Day
18 Sept – International Equal Pay Day
21 Sept – International Day of Peace
26 Sept – International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
27 Sept – World Tourism Day
28 Sept – International Day for Universal Access to Information
29 Sept – International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
30 Sept – World Maritime Day
Monthly Observances:
Health, Safety and Sanitation Month
National Clean-up Month
Civil Service Month
National Peace Consciousness Month
Social Security Month
Rule of Law Month
National Teachers’ Month (Sept 5-Oct 4)
Weekly Observances:
Sept 17 – 23:
World Clean and Green Week
Week 2: Education Week
Week 4: Medicine Week
Last Week: National Family Week
Daily Observances:
Third Saturday:
International Coastal Clean-up Day
Third Monday: World Health Day
Last Friday: National Maritime Day
Sept 8: National Literacy Day
Sept 15: Philippine Medicine Day
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
