Consumers brace for the surge of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices as it implement its first tranche of increase on Saturday.
According to the Republic Gas Corporation (REGASCO) starting October 3, LPG prices would spike to ₱10.00 per kilogram and on October 10, another round of ₱5.00/kg will be implemented, and on October 17 an increase of ₱3.00/kg will be felt.
Paresan vendors who would usually use their LPG tanks for almost 12 hours every day now opt to lessen their use and just maintain low-fire cooking to budget their 11-kg tanks.
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“Siguro po pagka medyo mainit na, patayin na lang ganun,” said Aireen Magadia, paresan vendor. “Hihinaan lalo yung apoy, pero dapat mainit pa rin yung pares.”
According to them, usually an 11-kg tank would only last them for three days.
Increasing prices of their bowl of pares will not be an option as they are also looking after their patrons.
“Hindi naman po kasi pwede na ganun, basta basta eh. Kasi, yung mga suki namin baka mabigla kapag bigla kaming magtataas. Kaya sobra kaming apektado sa pagtaas na ganyan, siguro sa kita na lang kami mababawasan talaga,” she said.
Meanwhile, Dagz Bautista, a father and entrepreneur, resorted to “kalan de langis” or a stove powered by used oil, and a blower.
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“Yung blower nito, 12 volts lang siya, 2 amperes lang 'yan. Alam niya ba yung sa wifi natin, 'yun 'yung router natin. 'Di ba hanggang sa masira walang patayan yun eh. Oh, eto lang yun,” he said.
He said, the monthly electric bill that the stove consumes only reaches P25.
Furthermore, this alternative stove uses only a small amount of oil to power up.
“Ang ginagamit lang niyan langis na patapon, pang change oil niyo sa motor, 'yung mga pinagprituhan sa bahay na dati tinatapon sa lababo o ngayon pwede mo nang gamitin pangluto,” said Bautista.
As fuel prices continue to rise, consumers are forced to limit their usage and seek alternative solutions to address their daily needs.