By Emmanuel T. Erediano
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Variety News Staff
JUST a week after the last hike, gasoline prices rose again — by 20 cents for regular gasoline and 65 cents for diesel — as the global oil crisis continues amid the ongoing war in the Middle East.
On Monday, Mobil Oil raised its regular gasoline price to $6.71 from $6.51, Supreme gasoline to $7.16 from $6.96, and diesel to $9.98 from $9.33. Shell Marianas followed suit.
On Tinian, Tinian Fuel Services increased its gasoline price to $8.839 from $8.639 and diesel to $12.389 from $11.739.
On Rota, Calvo Enterprises has not raised its fuel prices as of Wednesday morning. Its regular gasoline remains $7.79 a gallon, and diesel $10.02 a gallon.
Taxi driver Kadir Mohammad, 50, said that while previous 10-cent increases had little immediate impact on food prices, the recent higher hikes are affecting almost everything. “From grocery items to utility bills, everything is affected now,” he said.
Mohammad, who has been driving a taxi on Saipan since 2007, said it’s especially hard because this series of gasoline price hikes comes at a time when taxi drivers are struggling to earn income due to low tourist arrivals.
His savings have run out, he said, and he is now surviving by borrowing money from friends. He spends about $100 on gasoline every two weeks, yet his earnings remain minimal.
“Life has been hard already here on the island, and now the oil crisis is making it harder,” Mohammad said.
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
