MANILA, Philippines — Noche Buena became a bit more costly after a group of independent liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) retailers said on Tuesday they would push through with a previously announced P3 per-kilo increase on their product prices.

Arnel Ty, erstwhile president and now representative of retailer group-turned-party-list LPG Marketers’ Association (LPGMA), said the price hike would be enforced this Wednesday, December 1.

A P3 per-kilo hike equates to an additional P33 for every cylinder of cooking gas, since a regular cylinder weighs 11 kilos. But that’s not the end of it, according to the party-list congressman.

“World contract prices (for December) went up by $102 (per metric ton), which is equal to P5 per kilo,”

Ty said, adding that their importers have suggested imposing “staggered” increases or raising prices by installment.

This makes Wednesday’s P3 hike just the first salvo.

The official, however, could not say when the remaining P2 would be imposed, although he earlier surmised that the series of price hikes in cooking gas would continue until January next year.

LPGMA product prices have been climbing by at least P77 per tank since August 31. Depending on location, regular cooking gas cylinders from LPGMA member-brands now range between P600 and P620.

On the other hand, cooking gas tanks from big oil companies like Pilipinas Shell, Petron Corp. and Chevron Philippines (formerly Caltex) cost between P630 and P650.

LPGMA member-brands include Republic Gas, Pinnacle Gas, Cat Gas, Omni Gas, Nation Gas and Island Gas.