Filtered By: Topstories
News

Consumers' group wants DTI to regulate LPG prices


MANILA, Philippines - A consumers' group on Tuesday pushed for the inclusion of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) used for cooking in the list of basic commodities to enable the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to control LPG prices. In its position paper submitted to the House Committee on Energy, the Consumer and Oil Price Watch said the DTI, through the inclusion of LPG cooking gas in Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act of 1992, should be empowered to regulate the prices of LPG. "The LPG cooking gas is a basic commodity. Adequate supply of LPG is a basic consumer concern, especially among our C, D, and E economic classes," the group said. The Price Act empowers the DTI to freeze prices of basic commodities in case of emergency and impose a price ceiling in case of overpricing or hoarding, said the group. Trade Secretary Peter Favila himself said during the meeting of the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) last Jan. 26 that LPG cooking gas should fall under the Price Act. During the hearing of the House panel, Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes said he wanted the LPG industry regulated, saying there should be "sufficient" powers for the DOE, such as the authority to license LPG participants, confiscate substandard LPG cylinders, and keep down "unscrupulous" LPG players who take advantage of consumers. Reyes, however, said he wanted to leave the pricing mechanism for LPG to the DTI. "I'm willing to give up this job, pricing. DTI yan eh. I'm only concerned about policies," Reyes said. Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV
LOADING CONTENT