THE Department of Energy (DOE) said that it is imposing "price freeze" on petroleum products in earthquake-hit Surigao province.
This as Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi ordered the concerned agencies to ensure "adequate, reliable and secure" supply of energy and to "execute fair pricing of petroleum products," such as gasoline, diesel, kerosene and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
For the petroleum and oil products, the DOE has reiterated the implementation of Republic Act (RA) 10623 which imposes a "price freeze" on certain LPG and kerosene products being sold in the areas affected by the calamity.
“With the declaration of a State of Calamity, government will impose a price freeze on basic energy commodities for 15 days, particularly for kerosene and household LPG," said Cusi.
“In order to effectively ensure the supply of petroleum products, oil companies are obliged to update the DOE of the operational status of their depots and gasoline stations within the areas to stabilize the supply and reduce chances of individuals who are taking advantage of the oil situation,” he added.
Cusi said his department is closely monitoring the power restoration efforts being conducted by the Surigao del Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SURNECO).
According to a National Electrification Administration’s report, 95 percent of SURNECO’s franchise area has been restored by 11:00 p.m. Saturday.
The effort has so far energized the primary lines of Surigao City and all the municipalities of the province while the remaining 5 percent is still being addressed by the electric cooperative.
SURNECO also reported the damage on its main office building, necessitating the transfer to their old building and covered court.
Earlier, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines reported that there is no earthquake-related damage or sustained fault on transmission facilities.
Surigao has been hit by magnitude 6.7 earthquake Friday evening. (SDR/SunStar Philippines)