Monday, July 14, 2008 Councilor Labella seeks inclusion of LPG in government’s P2B power funds
A CEBU City legislator wants the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to find a way to include liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in the Office of the President’s P2-billion power subsidy program to shield the public from its increasing cost.
Councilor Edgardo Labella said thousands use LPG in the homes, but households find it hard to replenish it once the containers are empty because a 14-kilo tank already costs P630 to P660 each.
The situation, he said, compounds the people’s woes brought about by rising prices of basic commodities.
“The…trend relative to the rising cost of LPG seems to have alarmed the general public…considering the economic burden being shouldered by the people under this critical time,” he said in a proposed measure.
But he saw the National Government power subsidy fund as a way to ease the economic suffering of the people.
“Subsidizing the cost of LPG…would greatly alleviate the difficulties of LPG consumers throughout the country, including Cebu City…. Akin to the Filipino staple food rice, LPG is a commodity vested with huge public interest,” Labella said.
He said that the Office of the President should not only use the P2-billion fund to soften the impact of Meralco power rates on Metro Manila consumers but also the effects of rising LPG prices on all Filipinos.
His request came with another appeal for the City’s Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF) to ensure the safety of meat in the city, especially that consumers are shying away from eating fish due to the sinking of the mv Princess of the Stars last June 21.
“With the reported downswing demand for fish…some unscrupulous individuals might attempt to sell unwholesome meat to the general public,” he said.
Labella said unsafe meat can easily be sold to unsuspecting consumers that the DMVF should ensure that those selling them have been issued with meat inspection certificates.
“Slaughterhouses (should also) be conscientiously monitored so that no illegal slaughter of food animals will occur,” he said.
He appealed for all concerned agencies to work together to prevent the entry of illegal meat in the city “to safeguard public health and safety.” (RHM)
