Consumers may expect higher pump prices this week, and by as much as P0.60 per liter, to reflect the movement of prices in the world oil market.
“Expect fuel prices to go up next week (Dec. 15 to 21, 2020). Diesel should increase by P0.60 per liter. Gasoline should increase by P0.50 to P0.60 per liter,” Unioil Philippines said in an advisory.
World oil prices trended higher last week, buoyed by optimism over the vaccine rollout that could bring back economic recovery. Higher demand from Asia also boosted world oil prices.
On Dec. 8, the oil firms also raised pump prices by P0.25 per liter, diesel by P0.40 per liter, and kerosene P0.60 per liter.
These resulted in the year-to-date adjustments to stand at a net decrease of P3.22 per liter of gasoline, P7.36 per liter of diesel, and P10.59 per liter of kerosene, according to the Department of Energy.
Meanwhile, over P800,000 worth of illegally-refilled Solane cylinders were confiscated following a series of raids in parts of Isabela, Metro Manila and nearby regions and Cebu recently.
According to the raid reports conducted from January to September this year, there were more than 200 Solane cylinders that were either emptied or repainted for illegal refilling.
More than a hundred were from Metro Manila, particularly the cities of Taguig, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Rizal, and Parañaque combined. Ninety-six were from Iligan and Santiago in Isabela and 42 were from Laguna.
In a separate series of raids last November, an additional 47 tanks were seized in Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, and Cebu City. All in all, the value of the items confiscated including valves and vehicles amounted to P806,000.
Of the confiscated tanks, some were genuine Solane cylinders but illegally-refilled, which were spotted due to the fake seals used.
In some cases, the tanks were repainted and counterfeiters attached a metal plate bearing an “ISLA LPG” sign to deceive customers.
Solane urged consumers to keep an eye against fake LPGs and be extra mindful of which LPG brands to trust, where to find them and how they can verify their quality and authenticity.