The amendments grant the Ministry of Economy, through the General Directorate of Energy, Hydrocarbons and Mines, the control and surveillance of gas prices, both for domestic consumption and for subsistence businesses.

The parliamentarians highlighted the importance of this initiative due to the fact that liquefied gas is one of the main products of household consumption.

The deputy of Nuevas Ideas, Elisa Rosales, explained that the modifications will allow to protect the pockets of salvadorans. 

"We empower the Directorate to monitor gas prices throughout the commercialization chain. We are making sure that costs are not increased and that any anomaly is sanctioned", said Rosales.

The official emphasized that sanctions have been included in the regulations for any irregular act in the prices of liquefied gas and it will be considered as a serious offense.

This initiative seeks to update the regulatory framework after learning that, in practice, there are actors in the commercialization chain that jeopardize the benefits for the salvadoran population, such as the subsidy to liquefied gas, by arbitrarily fluctuating the sale prices of their products or services.

Congressman William Soriano mentioned that, through coordinated work with the Executive Branch, it has been achieved that salvadorans have cheaper propane gas, unlike other countries in the region.

"It is not possible that a group of businessmen decide to raise prices and affect salvadorans. This practice is over. We empower the Directorate of Hydrocarbons and Mines to monitor and sanction those who increase the cost of liquefied gas", said Soriano.

Translated by: A.M