Guinayangan freezes LPG, kerosene prices amid El Niño crisis

By Engr. Jay B. Laurino Household LPG cylinders are among the petroleum products covered by the November 1–15 price freeze in Guinayanga...

By Engr. Jay B. Laurino

Household LPG cylinders are among the petroleum products covered by the November 1–15 price freeze in Guinayangan, Quezon, following its El Niño-related calamity declaration. (Sentinel Times)

GUINAYANGAN, Quezon - Families already burdened by the El Niño crisis in Guinayangan, Quezon, will be spared additional increases in cooking gas and kerosene prices under a temporary government restriction. The Department of Energy (DOE) imposed a 15-day price freeze from November 1 to 15 following the municipality's declaration of a state of calamity over severe water shortages.

The measure covers household liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sold in cylinders with capacities of 11 kilograms or less, along with kerosene products. It aims to protect consumers from additional expenses as emergency conditions place further pressure on household budgets.

Under Republic Act No. 7581, or the Price Act, as amended by Republic Act No. 10623, automatic price controls apply to specified basic necessities during a declared state of calamity. The DOE confirmed that Guinayangan's emergency declaration activated the restriction on the covered petroleum products.

The agency attributed the state of calamity declaration to the prolonged effects of El Niño and the municipality's increasingly critical water supply situation. Its official advisory identified the petroleum products covered by the restriction and specified the duration of the temporary government intervention.

“A State of Calamity (SOC) was raised in Guinayangan, Quezon due to the continuing adverse effects of the El Niño Phenomenon and the persisting water shortage. Thus, a price freeze for household Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in cylinders (11 Kg and below) and kerosene products is now in effect and will remain valid for 15 days upon the declaration of the SOC,” the DOE stated.

Retailers must observe the selling prices prevailing before the calamity declaration, although applicable reductions remain mandatory. The DOE explained that consumers may benefit from price rollbacks while businesses are barred from imposing increases.

“During the price freeze, price implemented is that used before the implementation of the State of Calamity (SOC). Any rollback of prices, however, shall be implemented while price increases are strictly prohibited within the 15-day period from the day of SOC implementation,” the DOE added.

Guinayangan is among several Quezon municipalities that have declared a state of calamity following the prolonged effects of El Niño. The emergency has heightened concerns over household welfare and access to essential resources in affected communities.

Concerned government agencies are monitoring local establishments for compliance with the prescribed prices and possible violations. The restriction remains effective until November 15, with retailers required to observe the established price ceiling throughout the period.