THE Department of Energy (DOE) continues to keep a close watch on the prices of oil and other petroleum products in the country, Malacañang assured Sunday, amid the reported fresh round of price hikes in gasoline and diesel.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said that the government is continuing its efforts to monitor the prices and are working on the deliverables that were agreed upon during President Benigno Aquino III’s last meeting with various transport groups.
Valte was reacting to a statement made by Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide’s (PISTON) secretary general George San Mateo, urging President Aquino to do something about the reported oil price hikes next week that would increase gasoline prices by almost one peso and about 30 cents for diesel per liter.
The Palace official informed transport groups that some of the deliverables which President Aquino discussed with them during their meeting last September “have been farmed out to the different agencies” and that the completion for these is already moving.
Valte also responded to early warnings from the transport sectors, as claimed by San Mateo, that they might be forced to launch another series of protests should the government fail to fulfill its promise to investigate oil price hikes and review the Oil Deregulation Law.(PCOO)