DOE warns gas stations on unauthorized price hikes

MANILA, Philippines — Following reported daily price increases last week by numerous gasoline stations, the Department of Energy (DOE) yesterday issued a warning against unauthorized or premature price hikes amid surging oil prices brought by the Middle East conflict.

“There is no reason for panic buying. The country has adequate fuel supply, and government agencies are actively monitoring the situation to ensure that the public is protected,” DOE Secretary Sharon Garin said in a statement released by Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro.

“Following the directive of President Marcos, any fuel price adjustments must follow the proper schedule. Unauthorized or premature increases will not be allowed,” Garin said.

The DOE, together with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police, has intensified inspections of gas stations to prevent hoarding, profiteering or supply manipulation, she noted.

“We urge the public to remain calm. The government is taking the necessary steps to ensure stable fuel supply and fair pricing nationwide,” Garin said.

On criticisms that the President’s announcement about the price hikes next week triggered panic buying, Castro said the President’s message about the government’s intervention is appropriate and timely.

“The President wants to be prepared for any situation, especially since the conflict in the Middle East is not yet over,” Castro said.

“This is not the time to just sleep soundly because we are the ones to lose when the government becomes complacent,” the Palace press officer added.

For Manila 2nd district Rep. Rolando Valeriano, the DOE and the DILG should exercise its full powers to arrest fuel hoarders and profiteers.

“There already are incidents of fuel hoarding happening at gas stations. These incidents are plain to see on social media because there are responsible citizens who see these crimes being committed in plain sight,” he said.

Contingency fund

Meanwhile, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian is proposing that the executive branch immediately tap President Marcos’ P12-billion contingency fund to provide urgent fuel subsidies for public transport drivers, farmers and fisherfolk.

Over radio dwIZ, Gatchalian stressed the need to bypass the month-long wait for global oil prices to hit the $80-per-barrel threshold required by the standard subsidy program.

“If we wait that long, a lot of people will suffer. Too many drivers will suffer,” he said.

The senator stressed that public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers, ride-hailing (TNVS) and tricycle drivers are currently paying hefty prices for fuel while passenger fares remain stagnant.

Providing immediate subsidies, he explained, is a necessary defense to prevent a devastating domino effect on inflation.

As a result of the sudden spike in oil prices, Gatchalian admitted that the country will struggle to meet its lowered five to six percent economic growth target.

“That’s what we are keeping an eye on in the (Senate) finance committee, how the government spends, because last year when the flood control corruption came out, government spending slowed down and that is the reason why our economic growth is down right now,” he said.

VP optimistic

Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte remained hopeful that Filipinos “will overcome this challenge just as the country overcame the pandemic.”

“We can find ways to ease our burden by working together in our communities, supporting local products and being mindful of our spending and energy use. At the same time, let us expect government action to protect every Filipino family and ensure a fair and stable market,” Duterte said in a video message.

She said the government should implement strict measures against hoarding and excessive price gouging.

“Make inspections regular and close down violators. Provide temporary subsidies or price caps on food products and consider targeted cash transfers to low-income families. Provide advisory on fuel-efficient food distribution and incentives for public transportation,” she said.

For Koalisyong Makabayan co-chair and former ACT Teachers party-list representative France Castro, the Marcos administration’s response to the global oil crisis and its ensuing effect on basic commodities is “utterly inadequate.”

“The Marcos administration would like to blame the global market and yes, we are dependent on imported oil – that much is true,” she said in a statement, noting that the current oil price crisis did not begin with the US-Israel war on Iran.

“But the deeper problem is that the government has tied its own hands with the Oil Deregulation Law. Instead of genuine competition bringing prices down, oil companies have been colluding to ensure prices only go in one direction: up. And this administration has done nothing meaningful to stop it,” she added.

Castro also dismissed as unnecessary and alarming President Marcos’ interest in seeking emergency powers to suspend excise taxes on oil.

Employment

As for affected workers repatriated from the Middle East, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said it will provide employment counseling services and referral to employment opportunities like job fairs and employer linkages.

“Through our nationwide Public Employment Services Offices (PESO), we will ensure that affected OFWs are immediately profiled, skills-assessed and registered in the PESO Employment Information System for targeted job matching based on their age, education and occupational background,” the DOLE said in a statement.

The labor department said it will also facilitate access to emergency employment and livelihood opportunities for workers who may require immediate income support.

“This includes linkage to DOLE’s livelihood assistance programs and referrals to partner agencies that support entrepreneurship, microenterprise development and productivity enhancement for those who prefer to pursue self-employment,” the agency added. — Jose Rodel Clapano, Neil Jayson Servallos, Bella Cariaso, Rhodina Villanueva