MANILA, Philippines – Nanawagan si Senador Sherwin Gatchalian nitong Sabado, Marso 28 sa Department of Energy (DOE) at Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) na ikonsidera ang pagpataw ng price cap sa liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
“The impending increase in the price of LPG by P35 to P40 per 11-kilogram cylinder by April to reach record levels is an added financial burden on ordinary Filipino consumers and small business owners,” ani Gatchalian, chairman ng Senate finance committee and the Proactive Response and Oversight for Timely and Effective Crisis Strategy (PROTECT) committee.
“I call on the DOE and DTI to ensure adequate supply, strictly monitor market pricing, and, if price increases are unwarranted, consider imposing a price ceiling on LPG as a prescribed measure against undue price increases during emergency situations provided under RA 10623, an act amending certain provisions of the Price Act (RA 7581) to protect consumers,” saad pa sa pahayag ng senador.
Wala pang tugon si Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Roque at Energy Secretary Sharon Garin sa pahayag ni Gatchalian.
Nauna nang ibinabala ng LPG Marketers Association (LPGMA) na posibleng unabot sa P1,500 ang presyo ng 11-kilogram LPG tank sa Abril mula sa kasalukuyang presyo na P825 hanggang P1,135 sa Metro Manila dahil sa tumataas na shipping cost dahil sa limitadong access sa Strait of Hormuz.
Sa kabila nito, imposible naman ang shortage sa LPG sa mga susunod na buwan.
“Ang LPG ay pangunahing pangangailangan sa bawat tahanan at maliliit na negosyo tulad ng mga karinderya. Anumang hindi makatuwirang pagtaas ng presyo nito ay dagdag na pasanin lamang sa kabuhayan at sa presyo ng pagkain para sa ordinaryong Pilipino,” ani Gatchalian. RNT/JGC
