Marcos hits DTI for charcoal, kerosene price increase

MANILA, Philippines — “Where is the Department of Trade and Industry?”

Sen. Imee Marcos possed the question on Monday as she hit the trade department for the increase in prices of charcoal and kerosene.

Marcos noted that Filipinos from poor communities use charcoal or kerosene as an alternative to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to save some money.

But the price of charcoal had increased from P10 per pack to P15, while kerosene, more popularly known as “gaas,” are currently priced at P60 per liter, up from P55.

“Even the prices of charcoal and kerosene had increased? Our poor countrymen could not afford LPG so they resort to charcoal and kerosene for their cooking needs. But where is DTI?” she said in Filipino. “A 700-peso LPG tank is very expensive for our poor countrymen. Is the DTI initiating action for the problems of our poor countrymen?”

“We will be forced to investigate the DTI in the Senate if they will not act on the price increases in products, especially those used by the poor such as charcoal and kerosene,” she warned. “Have pity. How will the poor even celebrate the coming Christmas?”

/atm