Fuel price hikes spark public backlash

The announcement of increases of nine and five pesos in gasoline and diesel prices sparked criticism of the government, which many described as an “abuse,” arguing that when the price of oil falls, prices remain the same, and when it rises, the burden falls on the people.

“The government needs to understand that the people can’t take any more price hikes. Raising the price of gasoline by 9 pesos in one fell swoop is no small matter. When fuel goes up, transportation, food, and practically everything else go up too. In the end, it’s always the average citizen who ends up paying for the government’s absurdities,” Wesly Fermin commented on a post published by Listín Diario on Instagram.

Like Fermin, in office corridors, on public transport, at subway stops, in corner stores, the news generated criticism and lament, due to the impact this will have on transportation, the price of food and on the quality of life of the population.

The Don Bosco Neighborhood Organizations Coordinator (Codonbosco), the Center for Education for Peace, Tolerance and Development (Cepatode), the Alexis Rafael Peña Institute for Alternative Conflict Resolution (Ircap) and the Association of Housewives Committees of the National District and Santo Domingo (Acadisando), rejected the fact that the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs (MICM) has increased the price of fuels by 9 pesos without considering the increase in the price of basic necessities.

These organizations categorically rejected the increase, indicating that the Government had been collecting the tax for six years without it having increased in previous years.

Although they welcomed the fact that Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) remained at the same price, they pointed out that the increase in other fuels will further drive up the prices of basic necessities for housewives, transporters, merchants, farmers and producers.

The organizations maintain that four million people will suffer the consequences of the high cost of the basic food basket and that President Luis Abinader has not presented the country with a plan to face the crises that will come.

They indicated that the citizens can no longer bear the burden of food shortages and that, judging by the direction the President’s officials are taking, the country seems to be heading towards a precipice.

They say that if the policy of rising fuel prices continues, the country could descend into chaos due to constant protests in the impoverished sectors of the National District and Santo Domingo province, as poverty is increasingly suffocating Dominican households.

Industry and Trade

Yesterday, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs (MICM) announced an adjustment in fuel prices for the week of September 19-25.

Premium gasoline and premium diesel increased their price by nine pesos, with the former now selling for RD$350.10 and the latter for RD$302.10 .

Regular gasoline and diesel increased by RD$5.00, now selling for RD$315.50 and RD$267.80, respectively. Aviation fuel (Avtur) saw a price increase of RD$27.43, now selling for RD$345.40, while kerosene rose by RD$29.30 to RD$388.30 per gallon.

Fuel oil #6 rose RD$5.53 to sell at RD$178.38 per gallon and fuel oil 1% rose RD$11.08 to cost RD$214.47.

Resume dialogue

The president of the National Confederation of Unified Transporters (CNTU), Williams Pérez Figuereo, stated that they are aware of the government’s efforts to avoid raising fuel prices due to the political cost. However, he noted that these price increases significantly impact the population. He suggested that the government reinstate Decree 257-95, which establishes a permanent dialogue forum for making decisions on fuel-related issues.