Rota pays the most for gas

Rota motorists are now paying $6 for regular unleaded gasoline and $6.80 a gallon for diesel, the highest prices not only in the CNMI but also in the United States and its territories.

Average gas price in the U.S. mainland was $3.487 a gallon on Wednesday.

“With my hourly salary which is the CNMI minimum wage of $5.05 an hour, I cannot even buy a gallon of gas here on Rota. I need $6 for one gallon, and it’s really painful for residents here,” a 38-year-old Sinapalo resident told Saipan Tribune yesterday.

The mother of two said she spends an average of $60 for gas, which she tries to stretch for two weeks, “but with increases in the price, my $60 gas will no longer last two weeks. I try not to use my car if it’s not really necessary, except to go to work.”

Luta Gas increased its pump price at the opening of business yesterday, while Sasanhaya Service Station followed at 11am on Rota.

Rep. Teresita Santos (Ind-Rota) described as “outrageous” the $6 gas on Rota.

“It is important that any increase in gas prices should be looked into as it’s becoming outrageous. …Whenever gas prices increase, most households would have to suppress their budget in purchasing goods as they have less discretionary income. The lower-income households would be the hardest hit amid the increase,” she said.

Santos also said that if only the CNMI has a public transportation system, people may be able to save on fuel consumption.

“Since there is none, it is advisable to travel out of need, not for pleasure,” she added.

As of yesterday afternoon, Tinian stations had yet to change prices, but they are expected to follow suit.

Saipan’s pump prices went up by up to 15 cents on Tuesday night at Mobil Oil Mariana Islands service stations. Shell Marianas mirrored Mobil’s gas price changes yesterday morning.

Saipan’s regular gas is now $5.059 a gallon, blowing past the psychological barrier of $5 and matching the CNMI’s minimum wage of $5.05 an hour.

Super unleaded gasoline now costs $5.379 a gallon at both Mobil and Shell stations.

Diesel at Mobil stations is $5.409 a gallon while at Shell stations, $5.419 a gallon.

This is the third time since January that gas prices went up. This means CNMI motorists are now paying 35 cents more than what they used to pay at the start of the year.

Mobil and Shell do not issue advance notices for any gas price change.

Prices of gasoline are determined by a number of factors, including changes in the world market wholesale prices of gasoline, regional gasoline supply and demand balance, transportation costs, insurance, local distribution, marketing costs, government regulations, taxes, competitive market forces, and investments in retail stations and distribution terminals.