Forego price hike this week, DOE appeals to oil firms

Claiming the rise in world prices of oil for this week appears negligible, the Department of Energy appealed to oil companies Tuesday to forego any planned price hike this week.

 

In a radio interview, Energy Undersecretary Zenaida Monsada said their computations show the oil price adjustment for this week may amount to "less than 25 centavos" per liter.

 

"Sana huwag na nilang implement muna kasi maliit lang... Mamaya, kakausapin ko [ang mga] oil company [na] sana pagbigyan [na] huwag munang gumalaw, para makahinga tayo," Monsada said in an interview on dzBB radio.

 

Monsada's appeal came two days before militant groups are to hold protests to question the weekly fuel price hikes that had plagued motorists and public utility vehicle drivers.

 

According to Monsada, the price difference for this week compared to last week is very small.

 

She would not give a definite figure. When asked if the price difference was 25 centavos per liter, she said it was "mas mababa pa."

 

Monsada also declined to comment on whether fuel prices may reach the same levels in 2008, when gasoline prices reached P60 per liter, and diesel P58 per liter.

 

"Yan ang tanong, magkano ang highest levels na inabot natin, pero hindi ko sinabi ngayon mangyayari yan," she said. — RSJ, GMA News