The Energy Department issued a price freeze on household liquefied petroleum gas and kerosene in areas declared under a state of calamity.
Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi also called for the cooperation of all government agencies and local government units to ensure the unimpeded delivery of energy services in light of President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of an enhanced quarantine throughout Luzon.
Energy products include fuels such as LPG, gasoline, diesel, kerosene, biofuels, biomass, coal, natural gas and electricity.
The department said these items are basic necessities for the continuous delivery of energy services.
“We need these energy products and services in our fight against COVID-19. Energy provides the services required by our food, communication and medical industries,” the department said.
The price freeze for household LPG and kerosene covers Quezon City (March 13 to March 27), Las Piñas City (March 24 to March 28), San Juan City, Pasay City and Manila City (March 15 to March 29), Cavite province, Porac, Pampanga and the cities of Mandaluyong, Muntinlupa, Marikina, Makati, Pasig and Valenzuela (March 16 to March 30).
“During the price freeze, rollback of prices will be implemented while price increases are strictly prohibited within the 15-day period,” the department said.
The price freeze also covers Cebu City (March 13 to March 27), Iligan City (March 13 to March 27) and Negros province (Negros Oriental Province).
The department earlier issued a memorandum that importation and domestic transportation of fuel such as diesel, fuel oil, natural gas, coal, and lubricants should be allowed and remain unrestricted.
The memorandum stated that importation and domestic transportation of spare parts needed to build, operate and maintain energy infrastructure including energy exploration, development, generation, transmission, distribution, and energy retail should be allowed.