DOE announces LPG, kerosene price freeze in Agaton-hit areas

The Department of Energy (DOE) on Thursday announced a price freeze on household liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and kerosene products for 15 days in areas where a state of calamity was declared following the onslaught of tropical cyclone Agaton.

In an advisory, the DOE said the price freeze on LPG and kerosene is now in effect in Cateel, Davao Oriental and Davao de Oro province from April 8 to 22, 2022.

On the other hand, the price freeze on the said petroleum products is in effect from April 6 to 20, 2022 in Trento, Agusan del Sur while it is in effect from April 12 to 26, 2022 in Baybay, Leyte.

Under Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act, a “price freeze" should be enforced on basic energy products being sold in areas declared under a state of calamity.

Any person who violates a “price freeze” shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment for a period of one year to 10 years or a fine ranging between P5,000 and P1,000,000 or both depending on the court’s discretion.

“Price rollback within the 15-day period, however, will still be implemented,” the DOE said.

The reported death toll due to the onslaught of tropical cyclone Agaton has increased to 76 as of Thursday morning, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.

A total of 920,727 people or 279,557 families were affected by Agaton in 1,296 barangays in Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, Caraga, and Bangsamoro, the NDRRMC said.

There were 162,467 displaced individuals or 51,920 families staying in evacuation centers, while 41,584 displaced individuals or 56,314 families were staying outside of evacuation centers.

NDRRMC recorded 354 houses damaged due to Agaton—328 were partially and 26 were totally damaged in Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, and Caraga.—AOL, GMA News