Unending protests/The return

Monday, July 14, 2008, marks the day when the minimum fare for jeepneys in Metro Manila is adjusted to PhP8.50 from PhP8.00. It was not too long ago also when the fare was just PhP7.50 or even PhP7.00. Today is the day when I am also back to writing my thoughts. The last time seemed to be too long ago, but I am back and hopefully, I could sustain it this time.

The fare increase is brought about by the constant price increases of oil in the local market.

Last week, students from different and known public universities held protests against the increase of oil prices.

But let's see, the prices of oil in the local market is not the root cause of everything.

For one, the prices of oil in the world market have increased to more than US$145.00.

Second, the value of peso has gone down again. One US Dollar is now at PhP45. It used to be around PhP41 earlier this year.

With these factors in mind, as the value of dollar goes up, everything imported would cost more peso units, thus the price of oil is expected to go up. Adding insult to injury, since the price of oil in the world market has increased, it would require more peso units even more.

The students from the different public universities are clamoring that the E-VAT be scrapped.

What I find funny though, is this. These students actually are scholars of the governement and the government needs funds for their schooling. Some students even have stipends.

But the government also needs funds for everything it spends for. There are infrastructures that need to be built and repaired. There are public school teachers that need to be paid. There are also many other public servants who need to be paid. There are public hospitals which need funding too, and doctors who already have sacrificed enough by not leaving the country for a more decent pay.

While it is true that the expanded VAT has increased prices of almost everything, this basically collects taxes from everyone, and not just the daily/monthly paid workers. If ever there is anyone who might want to do a protest, it should be us who pay taxes from our monthly salaries. Then we would have to do with the E-VAT. I do understand that it is also the responsibility of the ordinary Pinoy to pay taxes even when they don't have a TIN.

So to the students from these public universities, go ahead and protest. It may appear that you care for the wellfare of the less blessed Pinoys, but really, you are just making people laugh at you. You are just displaying the fact that you lack the intelligence of how things are. Perhaps some common sense would be a good starting point.

Another point worth noting is the demand of some protesters (who seem to do nothing but protest) that the oil deregulation law be repealed. I can still remember, not a hundred years ago, the prices of oil in the local market was controlled by the government. There even was the OPSF (Oil Price Stabilization Fund) that acted as a buffer so that even if the price of oil in the world market would increase, that would not be so in the local market.

The argument then was this: let the oil companies regulate their own prices because competition would force the prices to go down. Eventually, the oil deregulation law took effect and the players were given free hand (almost) when it comes to the prices.

Now, many of these protesters want the old system.

What do you really want guys? Can you make up your minds? Or am I correct in my impression that you just protest just for the sake of protesting (regardless if the arguments are logical or not) because you earn something from all of these?