DoE urged to extend price freeze on LPG, kerosene products until June

By Javier J. Ismael May 9, 2020
https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/05/09/news/latest-stories/doe-urged-to-extend-price-freeze-on-lpg-kerosene-products-until-june/723708/

SEN. Sherwin Gatchalian urged the Department of Energy (DoE) to extend until June 30 the price freeze on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and kerosene products until the state of national emergency due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic is lifted.

Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate energy committee, made the call after oil companies raised the price of LPG by more than P5 per kilogram on May 1.

The price adjustment translates to a price increase of P56.98 up to P63.80 for a standard 11-kilogram LPG cylinder in the market. Authorities say the higher cost of LPG products reflects the movement in the international contract price of LPG in May.

Given the slow progress of the country’s resolution on the health crisis situation, Gatchalian suggested that the DoE extends the price freeze up until June 30 to help Filipinos juggle their day-to-day finances smoothly.

“Sa ganitong panahon ng krisis, ang 50 o 60 pesos ay malaking tulong na lalo na sa mga pamilyang nasa mahihirap na komunidad. Pwede na itong ipambili ng isang kilo ng bigas o kaya ay hanggang tatlong piraso ng delata (During the current crisis, P50 or P60 is a big help particularly to families in depressed areas. This amount could be used to buy a kilo of rice or three pieces of canned products),” says Gatchalian.

“Having to contend with accumulated utility bills, implementing a price freeze throughout the duration of the quarantine period will go a long way in easing the financial burden of many of our kababayan (countrymen), especially for those “no work, no pay” Filipinos. The DoE must recommend extending the price freeze on household LPG and kerosene as soon as possible,” he added.

In March, Gatchalian had a similar call to the DOE to extend the price freeze on LPG and kerosene products, citing DoE Department Circular 2016-08-0013 that the prices of LPG and kerosene will become normal after a 15-day price freeze, unless a mandated price freeze is imposed by the President, upon the recommendation of the DoE. The price freeze on such products has been extended until April.