• CHERYL G. CRUZ
A major increase in the pump prices of petroleum products will take effect tomorrow, March 10, as the escalating tensions in the Middle East already resulted in the rising costs of crude oil in the international market.
Oil companies announced over the weekend that diesel could increase by P22 to P24 per liter, gasoline by P11 to P13/L, and kerosene by P33 to P36/L.
This will be the ninth straight week of increases for gasoline, and the 10th for diesel and kerosene since the start of the year, and the first time that the price adjustment will be in double-digit.
The exact amount of increments will be known today, but motorists are urged to “refuel early before the price increase takes effect”.
Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Janice Degamo had advised NegOrenses to consider filling up their vehicles…before any potential fuel price adjustments take effect. “This is simply a precautionary measure to help families, workers, transport operators, and small businesses cushion the impact of price hikes.”
The Department of Energy, meanwhile, has directed all oil companies, gasoline stations, and downstream oil industry participants to strictly comply with existing fuel pricing rules and anti-hoarding regulations amid continued monitoring of global oil market developments.
“Gasoline stations are not allowed to implement unscheduled or unauthorized price increases outside established pricing adjustments,” the DOE said in a statement March 7. “Oil companies have likewise been directed to ensure that their company-owned and dealer-operated stations strictly comply with DOE directives, including any duly-authorized staggered price adjustments, where applicable.”
It stressed that pump prices until March 9 must not go beyond P53.70 to P76.50 per liter for gasoline (RON 97/100), P50 to P71.04/L (RON 95), and P49 to P64.70/L (RON 91); diesel at P49 to P66.59/L, diesel plus at P56.80 to P74.81/L; and kerosene at P78.90 to P99.89 per liter.
“We recognize that the industry operates under challenging global conditions, and we appreciate those who continue to act responsibly,” DOE Secretary Sharon Garin stressed. “(But) we will not allow any party to take advantage of the situation. Fair pricing and adequate supply are a commitment to every Filipino whose daily needs depend on it.” | CGC
