Senator Win Gatchalian on Tuesday expressed firm support for national government intervention in petroleum pricing, urging stronger oversight to shield consumers from the burden of rising fuel costs.
As vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Energy, Gatchalian said state intervention—activated through the declaration of a national energy emergency—is necessary to provide relief to households and small businesses affected by successive pump price hikes.
He raised concern over the lack of detailed breakdowns in fuel pricing, stressing that opacity leaves consumers unable to determine whether adjustments are justified.
“I have long advocated for the unbundling of fuel prices to ensure that any increase is neither arbitrary nor without basis, especially to the detriment of ordinary Filipino households as well as micro and small businesses,” Gatchalian said.
The senator emphasized that transparency is critical given the country’s reliance on imported fuel.
“As the country is fully dependent on imports to meet local requirements for fuel, the public deserves to know the math,” he added.
Gatchalian called on the Department of Energy (DOE) to require oil companies to clearly explain weekly price movements, stressing that emergency powers should be fully utilized to regulate the sector in the public interest.
He also pledged continued Senate scrutiny of the industry to ensure fair pricing amid global market fluctuations.
“Patuloy nating tututukan ang presyo ng mga produktong petrolyo bilang bahagi ng oversight function ng Senado para masigurong makatarungan ang anumang pagtaas ng presyo,” he said.