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2nd gas price hike in a month
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Posted on May 21 2020
Photo shows a Shell Marianas gas station on Saipan. Shell increased its gas prices yesterday. (KIMBERLY BAUTISTA)
The CNMI saw its second gas price hike in a month last Tuesday, making it the second gas price hike this year.
In just two weeks, gas prices went up by another 15 cents, starting with Mobil Oil Mariana Islands Inc., which raised its prices last Tuesday; Shell Marianas followed suit on Wednesday.
Gas prices went up from $3.23 for a gallon of Extra fuel to $3.38 per gallon, while the Supreme fuel went from $3.71 per gallon to $3.76.
The upward trend in gas prices is being seen worldwide as countries slowly start to reopen their economies and lockdowns are lifted.
In San Diego in the United States, gas prices went up for the ninth time in just 10 days, while gas prices in Detroit continue to climb. Florida has also seen a significant jump in fuel prices as they work on reopening their economy following a lockdown as a result of COVID-19. Texas saw its first gas increase in two months since the outbreak of COVID-19 back in March.
According to a Saipan motorist who want to be identified only as Joann, she’s concerned that gas prices will continue to go up but the economy hasn’t even recovered even a little.
“I honestly thought gas prices went down because of COVID-19. Economies haven’t even fully recovered. We’re just starting to try to recover. What if there’s second wave? I just don’t agree with gas prices increasing so fast,” she said.
A 26-year-old motorist who didn’t want to be named said that he feels its only right for gas to go back to normal as the economy continues to regain normalcy.
“I mean, if you think about it, it was going to go up eventually, at least it’s still significantly lower than what it was before the pandemic, which was like over $4,” he said.
