DOE setting up system
to reduce fuel price gap
BY CARLA GOMEZ

The Department of Energy is coming up with a system that will inform motorists where the cheapest fuel is being sold, and is offering up to P10 million to those willing to put up new gasoline stations to step up competition, Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) said yesterday.

Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla said these moves are being taken to further drive down fuel prices, Benitez added.

Last year, Negrenses complained that they were paying about P10 more per liter for their fuel compared to Metro Manila, but Benitez said that the price gap has dropped to P3.

Ceneco power
rates up 98 cents

Central Negros Electric Cooperative Inc. announced yesterday a 98 centavo power rate hike to take effect this month.

The residential rate for the February 2014 billing will be P9.4429/kWh, an increase of P0.9783/kWh from last month’s P8.4646/kWh, CENECO general manager Sulpicio Lagarde said in a press release.

He said the generation charges, which are the biggest contributory factor to the rate increase, are due to the Green Core Geothermal Inc. Basic Energy Charge Adjustment of P0.1621/kWh;

APEC team impressed
with city’s preparedness
BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO

The head of the Ocular Team from the Office of the Director-General of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation 2015 National Organizing Committee (NOC) said they were impressed by Bacolod City’s readiness to host the APEC conference in 2015 in collaboration with the public and private sector.

Undersecretary Natalio Ecarma lll, Deputy Director General for Operations, yesterday said they were impressed that Bacolod has created its local APEC Organizing Committee and the Mayor has already assigned his councilors to specific committees.

With this type of cooperation, I believe securing Bacolod, barring any untoward incident, will not be that hard,” he said, adding that the Philippines National Police will be heading the security with the support of the Armed Forces.