Oil Deregularization vs. Government Control on Oil Price

Many people have been complaining about the constant increase of prices of petroleum products for the past ten years. During my years in elementary, I have already seen that status of the petroleum industry here in the Philippines, and like now, people are complaining. The status of the oil prices during that time (1980's) was controlled by the government thru the Oil Price Stabilization Fund or OPSF. The strategy of the OPSF to control the increase in oil prices was to shoulder the amount of increase, so that oil price can still be sold to the public at its original price. When ever there is a decrease in the price of petroleum products, the percentage that the oil price will decrease will go the the OPSF in order to be a back up fund when ever there will be another oil price hike in the future. This strategy has a very good intention, but when the public looses its trust on the integrity of the OPSF, and accuses the people in the government of using its funds for other purpose, then it was decided that it was better for the oil prices to be deregulated, or to let the market demand dictate the price of the petroleum products. People during that time have been shouting in the streets and asking for the government to regulate the price of oil, but why is it that they are asking now to abolish the deregularization of the petroleum products?

So why ask the government to let them control the oil prices, again? I will never understand the mind of the "majority people" (i am still not sure on what sector to refer?) to go back on something that they already complained before. There is no point on reiterating the arguments that was given before on what would be the best option for the consuming public, but what I want to say to those people who always complain but do nothing, why don't we exploit the benefits of deregularization? How? We can start by taking the most logical step, we only buy on the gasoline station that offers the lowest price! We just try to manage the fuel consumption of our vehicles and make it a habit to refuel on the gasoline station that offers the cheapest price! It is like trying to piss, and all we have to do is to take a piss on the right area! Just feel free to comment on the comparison that I made. We must let these other gas station know the feeling of competition, and if price will be our first priority, then the next criteria for our fuel needs will be to support the small oil players! We must stop patronizing the Big 3 oil companies, namely Caltex, Petron, and Shell!

Watch out for update on ispaldon.bolgspot.com on gasoline stations in the 1st ditrict of Iloilo, up to the Iloilo City proper on the different price of petroleum products, and which of them offers the cheapest prize.