Duterte to DOE, other agencies: Find other sources of oil

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers at the Malacañan Palace on September 10, 2019. ACE MORANDANTE/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the Department of Energy (DOE) and other concerned agencies to look for other sources of oil to maintain the country’s current energy supply.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said this was Duterte’s directive to cushion the impact of rising oil prices following drone attacks on government-run oil facilities in Saudi Arabia more than a week ago.

“Sabi ni Presidente, inatasan na niya sila … iyong mga involved na agencies na maghanap ng ibang mga sources ng oil para manatili iyong ating supply (The President said, he ordered involved agencies to look for other sources of oil to maintain our supply),” Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

“In other words, hindi tayo magre-rely doon (we won’t rely on that),” he added.

Panelo, meanwhile, said Palace will also review the proposal of the DOE to issue an executive order to form an Oil Contingency Task Force.

“We will wait for their request, and the Palace, the Office of the President will study it,” Panelo said.

Several oil companies will increase prices of their fuel products for the second week in a row on Tuesday (September 24), 6 a.m. due to supply issues.

In advisories, Seaoil, Petro Gazz, PTT Philippines, Petron Corporation and Flying V said prices of their respective gasoline products will be hiked by PHP2.35 per liter and diesel by PHP PHP1.

80 per liter.

Petron, Seaoil, and Flying V will also adjust upwards the price of their kerosene by PHP1.

75 per liter.

However, Saudi Arabian authorities assured supply is expected to normalize in the near-term.