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Thursday, March 04, 2004
Oil deregulation law stays: DOE official
BRUSHING aside criticisms by militant groups and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Eduardo Mañalac on Wednesday defended the Oil Deregulation Law.
"As far as we are concerned, we have to implement what the law requires us," Mañalac said.
He also dismissed allegations the law merely "legalizes" unabated and consecutive oil price hikes.
"Matagal na tayong deregulated. The oil prices are dictated solely by the international market forces. Kapag sinabi ng oil producing countries na ganito ang presyo ng oil natin, we can't do anything about that," Mañalac said.
Enacted in 1998, the law prohibits the government from interfering with the pricing, export, and importation of oil products.
The law also called for government's delegation of responsibility to the private sector on the establishment of retail outlets or gas stations, storage depots, ocean receiving facilities and refineries.
Mañalac said enough discussion and consultation was made before the law was enacted and that it would need another law to amend or abolish it.
Duterte recently expressed his preference for the scrapping of the oil deregulation law, saying it has" not served it purpose of prohibiting the cartelization and the predatory pricing of dealers of oil products."
Duterte expressed his opinion amid the recent protest by transport groups demanding a fare increase following a series of increase in oil prices. CEU
(March 4, 2004 issue)
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