Expenditure on energy subsidies has increased by 53% since January 2005 due to the constantly rise in crude oil prices, according to a report in El Caribe. This year the government has invested RD$1.392 billion to avoid increasing the energy tariff. This month the government disbursed RD$237.3 million to keep the energy tariffs at the same level. In January the subsidy was RD$110.4 million. Between last May and June the subsidy increased from RD$166 million to RD$231 million. Superintendent of Electricity Francisco Mendez explained that this situation is eroding the Stabilization Fund used for the subsidy. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance reported that the petroleum bill for the country totaled RD$32.442 billion during the first semester of this year, a 47% increase when compared to last year.