President Leonel Fernández announced an increase in fuel prices last night, ending weeks of expectations and speculations. The new prices, effective 6 am on 8 October, are: Premium gasoline: RD$32.50 (up 19% from RD$27.90) Regular gasoline: RD$27.90 (up 27% from RD$22) Premium Gasoil: RD$18.95 Gasoil: RD$16.95 (up 31% from RD$12.90) Industrial, vehicular, commercial propane gas: RD$13 (up 33% from RD$10) Cooking propane gas: RD$6.00 (remains the same) President Leonel Fernández said the increase is justified because of the increase in fuel prices abroad. In 1996, local fuel prices were set at RD$32 to reflect a US$26 price per barrel level on international markets. International market prices are slightly over US$24 at present. Hoy newspaper carries the following petroleum stats: Last year the country consumed 42.2 million barrels of petroleum, in 1997, consumption was 39.4 million barrels. In 1990, consumption was 22 million barrels, almost half of what is consumed today. In 1996, the petroleum differential produced RD$3,373 million for the treasury. This grew to RD$5,230 million in 1997 and RD$6,000 million in 1998, reflecting a decline in international petroleum prices. The moneys are used primarily to make foreign debt payments. Annual payments are about RD$5,000 million per year. In 1998, the country consumed 7.9 barrels of gasoline, 3.3 million more than in 1990. Gasoil consumption was 12.8 million barrels, seven million more than the 5.6 million in 1990. In 1998, propane gas consumption was 5.7 million barrels, four million more than in 1990. The government sent members of the Armed Forces and National Police last night to uptown barrios to prevent protests.
