INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) ordered a price freeze on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and kerosene products in the municipality of Bulalacao in Oriental Mindoro due to a state of calamity.
According to the DOE on Thursday, the municipality was placed under a state of calamity on Monday due to an extreme drought.
READ: Bulalacao, Or. Mindoro under state of calamity due to El Niño
“A State of Calamity (SOC) was raised in the Municipality of Bulalacao, Province of Oriental Mindoro, due to severe and prolonged drought,” the DOE said.
A price freeze will be effective for LPG in cylinders 11 kilograms and below and other kerosene products until March 11.
“Thus, a price freeze for household Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in cylinders (11 Kg and below) and kerosene products is now in effect and will remain valid for 15 days upon the declaration of the SOC,” it added.
READ: Drought may hit 30 areas in March due to El Niño – Pagasa
Under the price freeze, price increases are strictly prohibited, but rollbacks will be implemented.
“During the price freeze, the price implemented is that used before the implementation of the State of Calamity (SOC). Any rollback of prices, however, shall be implemented while price increases are strictly prohibited within the 15-day period counted from the day of SOC implementation,” the DOE added.