By Lane Afable, News Editor
The Department of Energy (DOE) said the government and private sector are collaborating to boost inventory, assuring the public of sufficient liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supply.
During a Palace press briefing, DOE Secretary Sharon Garin said that the country has a month’s LPG inventory, although she admitted to price increases.
“Hindi pa naman, hindi po,” Garin said when asked about the possibility of the country running out of LPG stock.
“Pero tumaas po iyong presyo, naging mahal talaga siya. I think ang 1,100 naging 1,500 yata. Sobrang laki ng increase ng LPG, but that will stay for one month, once a month lang po iyong change ng presyo ng LPG.”
The energy chief appealed to the public to monitor LPG prices and report to the authorities any LPG dealers making daily price adjustments.
Garin said that when local suppliers encountered problems as the Middle East conflict erupted, companies looked for alternative sources such as China and Hong Kong.
“So naghanap sila hanggang Australia, US at ngayon po nakakuha na sila, may supply na sila, pero hindi pa ganoon kakomportable iyong number,” she said. “Even though 15 days lang dapat iyan, pero ngayon po, they are at 32 days.”
Following talks with the government, Garin said the Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) and private companies agreed to collaborate to procure one shipload of LPG to boost local supply.
The government and private companies are now supposed to finish the contract with the new suppliers, she said.
“Hindi ko lang alam kung anong country ang na-contact for the PNOC contract, pero iyon iyong gagawin namin in DOE, we will buy together with our companies for LPG,” Garin said.
