Auto-LPG prices to be raised anew Friday

Another round of increase in the prices of liquefied petroleum gas for automobiles (Auto-LPG) will take effect Friday, dealers said on Thursday. Arnel Ty, president of the LPG Marketers Association (LPGMA), said prices will be raised by P1 per liter starting Friday. Last Monday, dealers jacked up auto-LPG by P1.20 per liter, prompting operators of taxis using LPG to push for the return of the P10 add-on fare. In an interview on dzBB radio Thursday, Ty said dealers were supposed to raise their prices by P2.20 a liter last Monday, but decided to stagger the increase to make it easier for taxi operators and the consuming public to accept. However, Ty said that prices of LPG and autogas are likely to “correct" and go down in October, barring any sudden hike in world prices. “Nakita namin na sa laki ng itinaas sa buwang ito, baka naman may posibilidad na magko-correct ang presyo at maaari itong bumaba sa susunod na buwan (Due to the high price hike this month, there is the possibility that price will undergo a correction and go down in October)," he said. Meanwhile, taxi operators are considering pushing authorities to restore a P10 add-on fare due to the high prices of auto-LPG. The Philippine National Taxi Operators Association (PNTOA) said it is likely to seek the restoration of the “P10 tip" should Auto-LPG prices breach the P24/liter mark. “Pag lumampas sa P24/liter ang presyo ng auto LPG, necessarily kailangan namin hilingin ibalik ang P10 add-on rate na pumayag kaming suspindihin dati. Walang matitira sa amin kung di ibalik ang P10 na yan (Once Auto LPG prices go higher than P24/liter, we will have to ask for the restoration of the add-on. Otherwise our taxi drivers cannot make ends meet)," PNTOA president Bong Suntay said in an interview on dwIZ radio Wednesday. LPG prices currently stand at P23.40/liter, he said, adding that auto LPG price adjustments are usually announced at the start of the month. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) granted a P10 add-on rate on taxi fare last year to cope with the rising prices of fuel. On Dec. 15 last year, the LTFRB ordered the temporary removal of the additional rate following huge decrease in the prices of oil. - GMANews.TV