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)
March –
IT’S WOMEN’S MONTH!
“Respect and support women
every day of the year/s!”
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
Monthly Observances:
Women’s Role in History Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Environmental Week;
Women’s Week
Week 3: Philippine Industry and “
Made-in-the-Philippines Products Week
Last Week: Protection and Gender-Fair Treatment
of the Girl Child Week
Daily Observances:
March 8: Women’s Rights and
International Peace Day;
National Women’s Day
March 4: Employee Appreciation Day
March 15: World Consumer Rights Day
March 18: Global Recycling Day
March 21: International Day for the Elimination
of Racial Discrimination
March 23: International Day for the Right to the Truth
Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations
and for the Dignity of Victims
March 25: International Day of Remembrance of the
Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
March 27: Earth Hour
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
