HomeJournal of Interdisciplinary Perspectivesvol. 2 no. 8 (2024)

Fuel Price Increase: Unveiling the Torments and Agonies of the Transportation Sector — Basis for Policy Formation

Cydeah Aldic J. Conchas | Roel D. Apas

Discipline: social policy

 

Abstract:

This study aimed to investigate the impact of oil price hikes on the transportation sector in Padada, Davao del Sur. Utilizing a phenomenological approach and qualitative design, purposive sampling was conducted among fourteen participants from various transportation sectors. Data was analyzed through Data Reduction, Data Display, and Conclusion Verification, with assistance from a data analyst. The findings indicate that rising fuel prices significantly affect livelihoods and lifestyles, highlighting the broader impact of global issues on local communities. Additionally, increased oil prices have led to fare adjustments, impacting passengers' monthly budgets. The study suggests that government programs to support local transportation owners and drivers and initiatives for domestic oil exploration could mitigate these effects. Budget constraints and fuel price stabilization policies were also identified as relevant considerations for public administration. Consequently, it is recommended that the Local Government Unit of Padada, Davao del Sur, propose policies to address the impact of oil price increases on the transportation sector. Additionally, revising and strengthening Municipality Ordinance 003, Series of 2009, which allows for passenger fare adjustments based on daily oil prices, is advised.



References:

  1. Boarnet, M. G., Hong, A., Lee, J., Wang, X., Wang, W., Houston, D., & Spears, S. (2013). The exposition light rail line study: A before and after study of the impact of new light rail transit service. National Academies Sciences Engineering Medicine. https://pdfs.semantic scholar.org/b4cf/c9dbbe24f1c24021cabf2ce0fcd7f8a 99c68.pdf?_ga=2.46612327.1934534295.1580911383-1889596704.1567016067
  2. Borowsky, A., Shinar, D., & Oron-Gilad, T. (2010). Age, skill, and hazard perception in driving. Accident analysis & prevention, 42(4), 1240-1249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2010.02.001
  3. Brakewood, C., Macfarlane, G. S., & Watkins, K. (2015). The impact of real-time information on bus ridership in New York City. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 53, 59-75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trc.2015.01.021
  4. Cabuenas, J.V. (2022, June 12). The struggles to make ends meet as fuel prices continue to rise. GMA News. https://www.gmanetwork. com/news/top stories/nation/834721/jeepney-drivers-families struggle-to-make-ends-meet-as-fuel-prices-continue-to-rise/story/
  5. Calleja, J.P. (2022, March 09). Rising oil prices fuel the Philippine transport crisis. UCA News. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.ucanews. com/amp/risi ng-oil-prices-fuel-philippine-transport-crisis/96408
  6. Chua, D.K. (2022, March 29). Rising gas prices in the Philippines. Kid Reporter’s Notebook. https://kpcnotebook.scholastic.com/post/ rising-gas price Philippines
  7. Daroy, G. (2022, February 21). Easing impact of oil price hikes. Philippine Daily Inquirer. https://opinion.inquirer.net/150113/easing-impact-of-oil-price-hikes
  8. De Guzman, J.M. (2022, June 14). Public transport system on brink of ‘collapse’ due to high fuel prices. Business World. https://www.bworldonline.com/economy/2022/06/14/455032/public-transport-system-on-brink-of-collapse-due-to-high-fuel-
  9. Ellao, J.A. & Vital, E. (2022, March 15). It’s a hunger spell for Filipino transport drivers as oil prices continue to spike. Bulatlat Journalism for the People.  https://www.bulatlat.com/2022/03/15/its-hunger-spell-forfilipinotransport-drivers-as-oilprice -continue-to-spike/
  10. Farber, S., Bartholomew, K., Li, X., Páez, A., & Habib, K. M. N. (2014). Assessing social equity in distance-based transit fares using a model of travel behaviour. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 67, 291-303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2014.07.013
  11. Golafshani, N. (2003). Understanding reliability and validity in qualitative research. The Qualitative Report, 8(4), 597-606. http://www. nova.edu.sss/QR/QR8-4/golafshani.pdf
  12. Howlett, M. P., & Mukherjee, I. (2014). Policy design and non-design: Towards a spectrum of policy formulation types. Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy Research Paper, (14-11). https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2461087
  13. Howlett, M., & Ramesh, M. (2016). Achilles’ heels of governance: Critical capacity deficits and their role in governance failures. Regulation & Governance, 10(4), 301-313. https://doi.org/10.1111/rego.12091
  14. Kilian, L. (2014). Oil price shocks: Causes and consequences. Annual Review of Resource Economics, 6(1), 133-154. https://doi.org/abs/10.1146/annurev-resource-083013-114701
  15. Lamazoshvili, B. (2014). Effects of oil shocks on oil-importing developing economies: The case of Georgia and Armenia. Economics Education and Research Consortium Working Paper Series. 14. https://ideas.repec.org/p/eer/wpalle/14-06e.html
  16. Llemit, R.L. (2022, April 03). Taxi drivers struggle amid increasing oil price hikes. SunStar Davao.  https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1925497/Davao/local-news/taxi-drivers-struggle-amid-increasing-oil-price hike
  17. Luna, F. (2022, June 08). Jeepney drivers ask for commuters’ understanding as gas prices soar. PhilStar Global. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/06/08/2186967/jeepney-drivers-ask-commuters-understanding-gas-prices-soar
  18. Mariano, S. (2020). Implementing guidelines pursuant to the DOTR department. Philippine Railways Institute.  https://pri.dotr.gov.ph/ wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IRR-OCR.pdf
  19. Margotin, C. (2022, April 04). I can only afford to go to work one day a week: how are students being affected by rising oil prices? Mancunion Manchester Media Group.  https://mancunion.com/ 2022/04/04/ students-opinions-on-the increase -in-oil-prices/
  20. Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook. Sage Publications, Inc. https://books.google.com.ph/books?id=U4lU_wJ5 QEC&lpg=PR12&ots=kFG4JTUUO&dq=Qualitative
  21. Ochave, R.M. (2022, February 13).  Group seeks gov’t help to protect consumers from the impact of surging oil prices. Business World. https://www.bworldonline.com/thenation/2022/02/13 /429658/group- seeks-govt-help-to-protect-consumers-from-impact-of-surging-oil-prices
  22. O’Neal, L. (2022). Truckers face further fuel price increases on crude market volatility. The Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/ articles/truckers-face-further-fuel-price-increases-on-crude-markets -volatility-11645810325
  23. Overholt, M. (2016). The importance of oil and gas in today’s economy. Tiger General. https://www.tigergeneral.com/the-importance-of-oil-and-gas-in-today-s-economy/
  24. Pangandaman, A. (2023). Gov’t allots P4 billion in fuel subsidies for PUV drivers, farmers, and fisherfolks. Department of Budget and Management. https://www.dbm.gov.ph/index.php/ management-2/332-govt -allots-p4-billion-in-fuel-subsidies-for-puv-drivers-farmer-fisherfolks
  25. Prakash, S. (2022, November 08). Why men are better drivers than women. News Patrolling. https://newspatrolling.com/why-men-are-better-drivers-than-women/.
  26. Refraccion, G., Mugas, J.M., & Orejas, T. (2022, March 17). Luzon jeepney drivers find ways to cope with high fuel costs. Inquirer. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1569475/luzon-jeepney-drivers-find-ways-to-cope-with-high-fuel-cost
  27. Rubio, P. (2022, April 13). Necessities that have raised prices amid global oil price spike.  PH News. https://www.google.com/amp/s/ph.news. yahoo. com/amphtml/list-necessities-that-have-raised-prices-amid-global oil pricespike-071829189
  28. Sandelowski, M. (1986). The problem of rigour in qualitative research. Advances in nursing science, 8(3), 27-37. http://dx.doi.org/ 10.1097/00012272-198604000-00005
  29. San Jose, A. E., & Galang, J. G. (2015). Teaching strategies in teaching literature: Students in focus. International Journal of Education and Research, 3(4), 41-50. https://ijern.com/journal/2015/April-2015/05.pdf
  30. Sener, I. N., Lee, R. J., & Elgart, Z. (2016). Potential health implications and health cost reductions of transit-induced physical activity. Journal of transport & health, 3(2), 133-140. https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.jth.2016.02.002
  31. Sek, S. K., Teo, X. Q., & Wong, Y. N. (2015). A comparative study on the effects of oil price changes on inflation. Procedia Economics and Finance, 26, 630-636. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2212-5681(15)00800-X
  32. Stenbacka, C. (2001). Qualitative research requires quality concepts of its own. Management decision, 39(7), 551-556. https://doi.org/10.1108/EUM0000000005801
  33. Stevens, P. (2022, May 19). Rising fuel costs are a massive problem for businesses  and consumers. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/ 19/fuel-is-a-problem-for-business-and-consumers-why-prices-are so -high.html
  34. Taylor, J. C., & Johnson, R. K. (2013). Farm to school as a strategy to increase children’s fruit and vegetable consumption in the United States: Research and recommendations. Nutrition Bulletin, 38(1), 70-79. https://doi.org/10.1111/nbu.12009
  35. Todaro, M. P., & Smith, S. C. (2012). Economic development (11th edition). Library of Congress in Publication Data. http://155.0.160.4:8080/ xmlui/bitstream/handle/123456789/63/
  36. Verdinelli, S., & Scagnoli, N. I. (2013). Data display in qualitative research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 12(1), 359-381. https://doi.org/10.1177/160940691301200117
  37. Wan, D., Kamga, C., Liu, J., Sugiura, A., & Beaton, E. B. (2016). Rider perception of a “light” bus rapid transit system-the New York City select bus service. Transport Policy, 49, 41-55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2016.04.001.
  38. Wilcox, W. B. (2015). Don’t be a bachelor: Why married men work harder, smarter and make more money. Washington Post. https:/www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspiredlife/wp/2015/04/02/dobt-be-a-bachelor-why-married-men-work-harder-and-smarter-and-make-more-money/