The Department of Energy (DOE) appealed to oil companies to implement on a staggered basis fuel price increases to ease the impact of non-stop hikes on consumers.
The latest big-time fuel price adjustment is set on Tuesday (March 15), with an increase higher than previous weeks’ hikes amid escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
“Noong nakaraang linggo po may oil companies na nag-implement ng staggered implementation at mayroon din pong oil companies na hindi nag-implement ng kaniyang adjustment. Hopefully makinig po iyong ating mga kasama sa industriya,” DOE Oil Industry Management Bureau Assistant Director Rodela Romero said.
“Ang regular adjustment natin, nangyayari tuwing Tuesday, so iyong kalahati noong presyo, idinagdag na po niya ng Tuesday. Pero noong pagdating ng Huwebes o makalipas ang ilang araw, para hindi dumagdag sa susunod,” she added.
The agency assured that there is sufficient petroleum product supply for the country, and is working with other agencies for the assistance of affected drivers.
The official said there is no certain timeline for the successive price hike due to fuel price volatility in the world market.
The government recently released the P2.5 billion initial funding for the fuel subsidy of public utility vehicle drivers and delivery riders. Romero said the P500 million fuel assistance to farmers and fisherfolks was also raised to P1.1 billion. – With reports from Allan Francisco/AG-rir