by Peter A. Balocnit

TABUK, Kalinga (9 October) -- Lifting lessons from basic economics that if the supply is high, price is low, the Provincial Government through the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) requested three giant oil companies to put up service stations in the province.

In three separate resolutions all sponsored by Board Member Columbus Sallidao, the SP asked Chevron Philippines, Inc., Filipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation, and Petron Corporation through their respective presidents to include and designate at least one service station in Kalinga. The intercession of Department of Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla was solicited for the approval of these requests.

The move came about due to the spiraling prices of petroleum products caused by market forces and increasing cost in the world market. The SP believes that under a competitive market on petroleum products, the presence of many service stations will decrease fares and prices of commodities to the advantage of transport owners/drivers, commuters, and consumers.

During deliberation of these resolutions, the SP members want to ensure the flow down of macroeconomic gains achieved by this administration to every family and local government unit that has a role on building up the economic foundations of our country. LGU Kalinga under the leadership of Gov. Dominador Belac, Vice Gov. Rommel Diasen and members of the SP are pushing relief initiatives as in this case for its populace to get a fair share from these discount and subsidy privileges.