Despite the expected price increase of petroleum products on December 21, Phoenix has announced that it will not implement any rate hikes in provinces hit by Typhoon Odette.

“The company is aware of the damage that Typhoon Odette has caused in many provinces across the country, particularly those in Visayas in Mindanao. As part of our efforts to help those affected, we are not pushing through with any scheduled price movements on Phoenix products in affected areas until further notice,” said Phoenix Petroleum Senior Vice President Atty. Raymond Zorrilla.

Since entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility on the evening of Tuesday, December 14, Typhoon Odette has made at least eight landfalls in provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao, causing massive floods and destruction beginning Thursday afternoon. It was reported to have carried winds of up to 230kph.

Meanwhile, another price increase was foreseen to be implemented on December 21, a week after petroleum companies implemented oil price hikes following five consecutive weeks of price cuts.