ON SOARING OIL, FOOD PRICES: GOVT NOT YET CONSIDERING EMERGENCY POWERS
MANILA, APRIL 14, 2011 (BULLETIN) By GENALYN D. KABILING -The government is not yet considering emergency powers for President Aquino supposedly to protect the country from the soaring oil and food prices.
Secretary Ramon Carandang of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) assured though that government is implementing other measures to lessen the blow of the high oil prices on the people, including regular monitoring of fair adjustments.
The government is also scheduled to roll out the P450 million fuel assistance program to public utility jeeps and tricycles next month. Farmers and fisherfolk will also soon get their share of fuel aid as soon as the government finalizes its fund requirements and number of beneficiaries.
"We're not contemplating emergency powers. What will those emergency powers be used specifically for? Where will the emergency powers be used for and if it is given, what are the parameters?" Carandang told reporters during President Aquino's visit in Nueva Ecija.
"We don't know the exact proposal but at present, we are not thinking of emergency powers," he added.
While the increase in world oil prices is beyond the control of the government, Carandang said authorities are closely monitoring the price movement of petroleum products to protect consumers from unnecessary spikes.
"We're watching prices. To some extent these are factors beyond our control but to the extent that we can make sure there is no racketeering and overpricing," he said.
Carandang noted that world fuel prices have actually started to decrease which "should provide some relief to us "We hope that fuel prices would follow the world prices," he said.
Senator Gregorio Honasan earlier proposed that President Aquino has full powers, including possible emergency powers, to address the oil price crisis plaguing the country.
Honasan however said the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) or the Legislative-Executive Development Authority Council (LEDAC) should convene and determine if the present oil situation merits an imposition of emergency powers that is subject to approval of Congress.
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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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