DOE closely watching LPG supply

The Department of Energy (DOE) is closely monitoring the supply of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which may only last up to 24 days.

"One of our major problems now is LPG, so now we're starting to go around the restaurants and beverages kasi maybe — maybe we can lower the consumption for a bit until we get the supply coming in,” DOE Secretary Sharon Garin said, according to Bernadette Reyes’ Wednesday report on “Saksi.”

Garin issued the statement during a Senate hearing, adding that the information on LPG supply includes the incoming deliveries.

Based on DOE’s March 20 inventory and daily average utilization, the country still has a sufficient supply of petroleum products such as gasoline and diesel, although LPG has the lowest supply.

• Fuel oil: 61 days
• Gasoline: 53 days
• Diese: 46 days
• Jet fuel: 39 days
• LPG: 24 days

“So in terms of international standards po sa IEA, 30 days po ang suggestion ng International Energy Association. In fact, all our products are above that. Ngayon, ang hindi lang, LPG,” DOE Undersecretary Alessandro Sales said.

(So in terms of international standards, the International Energy Association recommends a 30-day supply. In fact, all our products are above that, except for LPG.)

However, Sales said the country’s LPG supply is still three times the amount required based on the seven-day minimum inventory requirement set for suppliers.

But Senator JV Ejercito expressed concern over the circumstances when supplies are unable to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

In response, DOE said it is coordinating with countries where the Philippines imports petroleum products.

“We have been assured by the next delivery, but that's assuming that things stay the same no? Stay the same next month. But if things escalate and prolong, then we have to address that all over again,” Garin said.

Based on DOE’s monitoring, LPG prices range from P825 to over P1,000 per regular tank in Metro Manila in March.

The ongoing Middle East conflict also affects the prices of some commodities.

Based on the Department of Agriculture’s estimates, the per-kilo price of chicken may rise from P200 to P324.

The United Broiler Raisers Association said chicken farmers might not even have a higher income if buyers cannot afford to buy them.

Currently, the per-kilo cost of chicken is stable. In Marikina City Public Market, for example, chicken costs P150 per kilo.

Meanwhile, the per-kilo price of well-milled rice may increase by around 49% from P45 per kilo to P67 per kilo.

On March 9, a day before the mega oil price hikes, local regular milled rice was at P33 per kilo, but it increased to P37 per kilo, while the price imported rice had jumped up to P5 per kilo.

The Department of Trade and Industry earlier said some manufacturers of goods such as canned goods, instant noodles, bottled water, and soap have promised to maintain their prices for the next 30 days, while others have committed to 60 days.

However, the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Incorporated said it would be a different case if the prices of raw materials also increased.

GMA Integrated News is seeking comment from DTI on the matter. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BAP, GMA Integrated News