A MALACANANG official said the inter-agency National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) is now looking into the partial lifting of Executive Order 839 limiting it to areas heavily struck by recent typhoons.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, in an interview by Radio Mindanao Network, said the status of recovery of the affected provinces or cities would be assessed and serve as basis for the recommendation of the NDCC on the calls to lift the EO, which froze the prices of oil at the October 15 level.

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He said among the heavily affected areas where the EO is likely to continue to be implemented are Baguio City in Northern Luzon, parts of Zambales in Central Luzon, and parts of Quezon and Laguna in Southern Luzon.

“For now… NDCC is continuing assessment. If there is need to lift EO 839 in the entire Luzon… the effect on this would be specific places devastated by the typhoons. We will look into what areas are still affected by the typhoons.”

Arroyo issued the EO 839 last October 23 directing all oil companies in Luzon to retain their prices at the October 15 level while there is still a state of calamity.

Oil firms warned of a limited supply of oil in the country unless the EO is lifted. (JMR/Sunnex)