Domestic pump prices will likely go down this week by as much as P0.65 per liter to reflect the movement of prices in the world oil market.
Unioil Petroleum Philippines announced over the weekend that consumers can expect fuel prices to go down from August 10 to 16.
"Diesel should go down by P0.60 per liter. Gasoline should go down by P0.65 per liter," the company said.
A report by Reuters over the weekend said oil prices declined amid a slowdown in global recovery due to the Delta variant of the coronavirus.
Travel restrictions worldwide amid the prevalence of the Delta variant of COVID-19 is seen to impact on oil demand.
The US, the world's biggest oil consumer, has registered renewed spikes in COVID-19 infections, while China imposed lockdowns in several cities to curb the rise in new infections.
On August 3, the oil firms raised pump prices by P1.05 per liter for gasoline, P0.75 to P0.80 per liter for diesel and P0.75 per liter for kerosene.
These resulted in year-to-date adjustments to stand at a total net increase of P13.90 per liter for gasoline, P11.10 per liter for diesel, and P9.45 per liter for kerosene.
Meanwhile, as part of intensified efforts of the Department of Energy (DOE) to eradicate illegal, unsafe, and dangerous activities in the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) industry, the agency's Mindanao Field Office (DOE-MFO) dispatched a team last July 27 to 31for a joint inspection/investigation with members of the Midsayap Municipal Police Station.
The team validated a complaint lodged through the 8888 Citizens Complaint Center on an alleged illegal LPG refilling activity taking place in Purok 7, Central Bulanan, Midsayap, Cotabato.
Two unidentified men were caught in the act of refilling 11-kg LPG cylinders from inverted 50-kg LPG cylinders. The police contingent of the Joint Team attempted to apprehend these men, who, unfortunately, managed to elude arrest.
The team, however, was able to confiscate 50 filled 50-kg LPG cylinders; 23 empty 50-kg cylinders; 16 filled 11-kg LPG cylinders, 376 empty 11-kg LPG cylinders; and seven 11-kg cylinders that were attached to the inverted 50-kg cylinders; totaling 73 50kg cylinders; 399 multi-brand 11-kg cylinders; with two weighing scales, and 15 decanting devices/hoses. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)
All recovered pieces of evidence were turned over to the Midsayap MPS for temporary safekeeping, while administrative and criminal charges are being prepared. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)
The DOE-MFO is closely working with the local authorities of Midsayap in identifying the men involved, as well as all other persons responsible for the illegal LPG refilling operation.
To ensure the safety and welfare of the consuming public, the DOE continues to monitor and strictly enforce existing downstream oil industry rules and regulations.
It is closely coordinating and assisting law enforcement agencies in the implementation of Batas Pambansa Bilang 33, as amended by
Presidential Decree No. 1865, “An Act Defining and Penalizing Certain Prohibited Acts Inimical to the Public Interests and National Security Involving Petroleum and/or Petroleum Products, Prescribing Penalties Therefor and for Other Purposes.”
Meanwhile, the DOE is appealing to the public to remain vigilant in reporting illegal activities involving petroleum products to the authorities.
Aside from being unlawful, the department reiterated that acts such as illegal LPG refilling are highly dangerous and pose threats to lives and properties.