SAN PEDRO, Laguna?A number of gasoline stations in Laguna that closed down last week have resumed operations, but only to increase their prices starting last Wednesday, two days after the lifting of the fuel price cap.

The Caltex gas station in Barangay Nueva, San Pedro resumed operations after a week of closure, allegedly due to shortage of fuel products, said Amy Legazpi, liaison officer of the station.

Along with its reopening came an increase in prices, particularly of diesel, from P27 per liter to P29.

?That?s already our discounted price,? she said.

Jetti, a gas station in Pacita Complex, also of this town, however, kept prices of diesel at P27.10 per liter amid a delay in supply that caused the gas station to close down for a few days, said security guard Rexie Martinez.

The Petron station in Barangay Nueva also returned to normal operations Wednesday, while the Caltex station in Barangay Landayan has resumed operations since Monday after it closed down over the weekend, said its cashier Irene Basañes.

In Barangay Tagapo, Sta. Rosa City, Shell sells diesel at P30.25 per liter after it reopened Wednesday, said a gasoline boy who refused to be named.

Its competitor, a Caltex station adjacent to it, offers diesel for P30 per liter.

?We really cannot say that the operations have already normalized. We are just employees here so until there is supply coming in, we have something to sell,? said Ed Torres, whom employees referred to as the one authorized to speak on behalf of the Caltex station.

In Barangay Canlalay in Biñan town, fuel supply in stations of Petron, Caltex and Seaoil have normalized, after these were closed down last week, said municipal public information officer Eric Sotelo.

Alex Balayan, spokesperson of the Southern Tagalog Transport Sector Organization, said although a few gas stations in Laguna began offering discounts as promised to calamity-hit areas, it is, however, hardly felt by drivers.

He said prices, particularly of diesel, have remained erratic in different municipalities. Prices were particularly high in gas stations in Calamba City and Sta. Cruz, the province?s capital. Maricar Cinco, Inquirer Southern Luzon