THE militant group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide yesterday called on President Benigno Aquino III to lift  temporarily the Value Added Tax on petroleum product to pull down oil prices instead of granting the fare increase petition of other transport groups.

According to PISTON national president George San Mateo, even if his group did not join the appeal for a fare increase they respect the action of other transport groups.

However, San Mateo said his group wanted an alternative solution to soaring oil prices to keep from further a burden on the public.

He said that they have long been proposing the suspension of VAT on oil products but the government has not listened to them.

He said on January 24 a mass protest will be launched by Anakbayan, League of   Filpino Students, National Union of Students of the Philippines, College Editors Guild of the Philippines and other militant student organizations.

On the other hand, on January 25 PISTON will start its weekly protest action against oil price increases starting with a noise barrage around 10 a.m. in Cubao, Quezon City.

San Mateo said that as far as their group is concerned the 80 centavo rollback is very small compared to the P2.70 price increase per liter of diesel and the P3.20 hike for gasoline.