The government is firm on keeping its price freeze order on oil products in Luzon despite appeals from oil companies and other concerned groups, Malacañang said Thursday.

Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Lorelei Fajardo said the President would not be threatened by any group into lifting Executive Order 839 and would continue to prioritize the welfare of people especially those in typhoon-hit provinces.

“The government will not be pressured by any group into lifting EO 839. We will continue to protect the interest and welfare of the citizenry,” Fajardo told reporters in the Palace.

“Not now, not yet,” she said when asked to give a date for the lifting of EO 839 which mandated oil companies to keep oil prices at October 15 levels in Luzon.

But Fajardo said the government is ready to listen to the concerns of the business sector on the price freeze.

The affected groups, she said, could bring their complaints to a joint task force of the Department of Energy and the Department of Justice when they hold a dialogue on Monday.

The government earlier said it will review EO 839 following concerns raised by business groups of a looming oil supply shortage and disincentive to future investments.

“We must no forget that this is an unusual event and while in the past, the government has done all to have a conducive and investment -friendly atmosphere. We hope the investors will understand that the government’s primary duty is to protect the interest of the citizenry,” Fajardo said.

Deputy Presidential Spokesman Anthony Golez also made clear the price freeze on oil products was part of the government’s rehabilitation efforts in disaster-hit provinces in Luzon.

“The President has made a decision to effect the executive order and that is going to be done. Any consultations should be coursed through the task force of the DOE and DOJ,” Golez said.