DOE: Bill seeking to amend oil law must be certified as urgent

The Department of Energy is urging President Rodrigo Duterte to certify as urgent its proposed measure amending the Oil Deregulation law.

At a virtual press briefing on Friday, Energy Assistant Secretary Gerardo Erguiza said the DOE submitted a letter to the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office asking the President to certify as urgent the amendment of the Oil Deregulation Law, among other measures aimed at addressing the recent spike in petroleum prices.

“That’s one of the priority bills the DOE wants to be certified [as urgent],” Erguiza said.

Also, the DOE is urging Congress to amend the Oil Deregulation Law to allow the government to intervene amid the continuous spike in petroleum prices due to tight global supply and high demand. 

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, in particular, wants to include in the amendment of the law a provision granting the DOE an authority to suspend the implementation of oil excise taxes during “abnormal conditions.”

Cusi argued that suspending excise taxes on fuel, which added P6 to P10 per liter on the pump prices of petroleum products, can only be done through legislation.

While waiting for the passage of a law allowing the DOE to suspend the imposition of excise taxes on oil, Erguiza said the agency, for now, is asking oil companies to offer discounts.

The DOE official said at least five oil players, namely Unioil, SEAOIL, and Jetti have “responded positively” to the agency’s request.

Cusi earlier welcomed the oil firms’ willingness to grant discounts of P1 to P3 per liter to public transport drivers. —LBG, GMA News