Eastern visayas: The Regional Development Council (RDC) on Tuesday raised concern over the widening impact of the oil price surge in Eastern Visayas, as commuters and small business owners in Samar Island shift to cheaper sea transport to cope with rising fuel costs. During its meeting, RDC Chair and Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla said the ongoing fuel crisis-triggered by tensions in the Middle East-is already reshaping mobility patterns and straining household and business budgets across the region.
According to Philippines News Agency, the RDC reported that fuel pump prices have risen by at least 42.9 percent, with no immediate signs of stabilization, affecting transportation and the broader regional economy. 'We have survived in the past all sorts of disasters-we have survived oil crises, the pandemic, and many hardships. I see no reason why we will not survive this as well,' Petilla said.
With survival in mind, residents in Samar are already adjusting. Christal Ragobrio, a 22-year-old student from Basey, said rising diesel prices forced her family to abandon their usual motorcycle commute to Tacloban City. Instead, her father now drops her off at San Antonio Port, where she takes a motor banca for the rest of the trip. The 15-minute boat ride costs only PHP50-far cheaper than the hundreds of pesos previously spent on fuel-and is often faster and less crowded. 'It's quicker, more comfortable, and not crowded,' she added. However, she noted that sea travel becomes difficult during bad weather and when boat trips are limited.
Small business owners are making similar adjustments. Rosito Abitona, a 39-year-old sari-sari store owner from Basey, said his fuel expenses for trips to Tacloban have more than doubled-from around PHP150 to as much as PHP500. To cope, he now rides his motorcycle only up to the port and completes the journey by boat. 'The money I save on fuel goes back to my store. It helps me buy more products,' he said.
Both commuters said the shift to combined land-and-sea travel, while not always convenient, is the most practical option as long as fuel prices remain high. Their experiences reflect a broader trend noted by the RDC, as communities across Leyte and Samar adapt to the rising cost of energy by finding alternative, more affordable ways to travel.
