DOE Consumer Advisory

Wazzup Pilipinas!

At the eve of the new year, the Department of Energy (DOE) clarifies various topics concerning the oil industry.

A. Implementation of TRAIN for Petroleum Products

The implementation of excise tax and value added tax (VAT) for petroleum products under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) is effective on January 1, 2018.

The DOE, through the Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) and in coordination with the Department of Finance (DOF), is reminding the public that the new Excise Tax rates do NOT apply to the old stocks of petroleum products. Consequently, the retailers should not charge the new Excise Tax to the consumers.

“The OIMB has issued an advisory to petroleum products stakeholders NOT to levy new Excise Tax rates on old stocks, considering that Excise Taxes are levied upon importation and not at the point of sale to the consumers,” Assistant Secretary Leonido Pulido III clarified.

For VAT, the new rates under the TRAIN that is applicable to consumers becomes effective on January 1, 2018.

B. Oil Price Movement for Tuesday

In addition to this clarification, the DOE stringently monitors oil trading in the international market and analyzes its effects on the domestic prices of petroleum products as mandated by the Oil Deregulation Law of 1998.

Pursuant thereto, the DOE observed that last week’s international oil trading may affect the domestic prices of gasoline, diesel and kerosene as follows:

· Gasoline prices may increase by around P0.15 per liter;

· Diesel may increase by around P0.60 per liter; and,

· Kerosene may increase by around P0.55 per liter.

Adjustments on petroleum products are implemented every Tuesday of the week. Please note, however, that these findings may still be affected by the Friday trading activities which will be accessed on Monday.

C. Prize Freeze for Kerosene Household LPG for Calamity Areas

The DOE reiterates that upon a declaration of a State of Calamity, the DOE is implementing a ‘price freeze’ on kerosene and household liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

For its implementation, the DOE reminds the public of the following:

· The price freeze is applicable for 15 days, commencing one day after the declaration;

· “Household LPG” refers to 11 kilograms and below of LPG in containers;

· Price movements for kerosene are implemented every Tuesday of the week; and,

· Price movements for LPG are implemented at the beginning of each month.

Through the OIMB and the agency’s Field Offices, the DOE is closely coordinating with the oil industry players in the implementation of the Republic Act (RA) 7581, as amended by RA 10623, which imposes a "price freeze" on these basic energy products being sold in the areas affected by the calamity.


D. General Reminder

The DOE calls on the public to be vigilant and to report any violation to info@doe.gov.ph or to Consumer Welfare and Promotion Office at tel. no. 479-2900 loc. 329.

Page 365 of 365: Starting Anew for Book 2018

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Another year will soon end in just a few hours. Are we ready to close the 2017 book? And create a new sequel for 2018?

"Lots of lessons learned.
Bunch of tears, bucket of cheers.
Failed flings, reciprocated feelings.
Others left, real ones stayed.
I almost died, but I survived"

We've reached page 365 of 365 of Book 2017. The title of this book was, "LEARNED SO MUCH" and tomorrow will be page 1 of 365 of Book 2018, the title might be, "REINVENTING OURSELVES"

Normally we see people post lots of New Year's Resolutions to promise themselves to change for the better, or be more disciplined to accomplish what they couldn't religiously follow like diet, exercise, and similar stuff for self-improvement. But it is very rare to see posts announcing if those resolutions were completely done.

If I would be listing down some goals, do I need to be realistic or aim for the nearly impossible? Sometimes it becomes harder to follow a list especially when circumstances are unfavorable. We needed to sacrifice some to give way to other more important matters, or we are just too lazy or stubborn to go on.

The temptation to go along with the fad, peer pressure, or the lack of time and resources, often hinders our attempt to move forward and follow our outlined goals.

"I want to be able to learn to play the piano"

Everyone wants the best for ourselves, but we can't just stop our bellies from growing like we're pregnant because the most sumptuous dishes are those that are greasy, salty, and sweet.

We all want to exercise, go to the gym or do some Zumba but work hours and traffic congestions before and after work prevents us from using up extra time. We would rather rest and sleep earlier so we would feel refresh the next day.

But we could go on and on with so many excuses yet remain unconvinced. The fault is still within us. Remember that "Kapag gusto, may paraan. Kapag ayaw, maraming dahilan"

Time really flew so fast, and now we're on the last page of the 2017th book, page 365 of 365. We may not have been able to do what we all hoped for, but we should not worry for tomorrow is another day to work on what we were unable to accomplish.

Let us end an awesome 2017 with a happy heart and soul. May our 2018 book be equally awesome and filled again with lots of blessings!

We salute those people who kept on smiling regardless of their problems.

Leave a Legacy Behind: This Life is Just Too Short to Waste

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The imperfect me do not need to live according to the expectations of others. The definition of success varies from person to person because we are all individually unique. Some of us find real satisfaction from even the trivial things in life.

It's the imperfection that makes life perfect.
As long as we are happy and contented amidst some shortcomings and challenges, we have lived a full life.

We wouldn't be as successful if it were not for our mistakes. They were lessons which taught us to improve ourselves and not always listen to what others would say. Do not care for what people perceive for the real meaning and purpose of life lies deep within.

Our imperfections made us unique and real, and has given us the opportunity to change for the better.

We are forever grateful for all the experiences. Life continues to be perfect for our family as we share the blessings of our successes and heartaches of our imperfections.

However, just like in traveling, it is not the destination that is entirely important but the journey we went through before reaching it. We may have seen the entire world, swam on all the beaches, climbed all the mountains, took selfies at all scenic spots, filled our social media accounts with pictures from all our trips, but what have we done to be remembered by the people that matters most. Have we even touched a single life outside our family, relatives, colleagues, acquaintances and circle of friends? Or are we also seemingly strangers to these people?

Life is too short to waste, so leave a memorable and significant legacy behind while we still can.

They say if you want to be remembered either write something worth reading, or do something worth writing about. Let the people share the stories you made or the stories about you. From there you would become immortalized and forever be a part of history.

How about you? How do you want to be remembered?