MANILA — Malacañang has ordered close monitoring of fuel retailers and warned gasoline stations against imposing unjustified price increases as the government moves to cushion the country from the impact of the escalating oil crisis linked to tensions in the Middle East.
The Department of Energy (DOE) has already issued show-cause orders to 54 gasoline stations suspected of raising pump prices despite the government’s call for restraint, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said during a press briefing in New York on Sunday (Monday in the Philippines).
“Ngayon po, isinasagawa po ngayon dahil nagka-problema po at marami daw po yatang mga gasoline stations na nagtaas ng presyo,” Castro said.
“So, nag-issue po ang DOE ng show-cause order sa 54 gas stations para po makita natin kung sila ba ay lumabag sa panawagan na huwag magtaas ng presyo ng gasoline,” she added.
Malacañang warned that establishments proven to have taken advantage of the situation could face stiff sanctions, including the cancellation of their business permits.
“Kasi kapag po napakita rito na sila po ay may mga fraudulent acts, maaari po silang makanselan ng permit sa kanilang mga transaksyon,” Castro said.
She said the DOE is coordinating closely with fuel retailers to ensure compliance and promote fair and responsible pricing as global oil markets remain volatile.
The government has activated contingency measures amid fears that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could trigger sharp increases in fuel prices in the coming weeks.
Castro also revealed that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is preparing to ask Congress for special authority to temporarily reduce excise taxes on petroleum products if global oil prices continue to surge.
“Nakikipag-ugnayan po sila. At ang panawagan po nila ay gagawin itong Lunes na ito,” Castro said.
Marcos earlier signaled that he may seek emergency powers once crude oil prices reach or exceed USD80 per barrel, a threshold that could significantly raise fuel costs for Filipino consumers.
Under the proposal, any reduction in fuel excise taxes would be temporary and subject to congressional approval.
The President is also pushing amendments to the Biofuels Act of 2006 to allow the use of more affordable bioethanol blends, which the government hopes will help soften the impact of rising global oil prices.
Earlier projections showed gasoline prices could increase by as much as P7.48 per liter, while diesel and kerosene prices may surge by P17.28 and P32.35 per liter, respectively, if global tensions continue to drive oil markets upward./PN
