THE Energy Department is asking Malaca?ang for ?more powers? to deal with profiteers after admitting hoarding and the illegal refilling of gas tanks were the reasons behind the shortage of cooking gas in the market.

?That is very clear now,? Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said when asked if hoarding was the reason for the tight supply of liquefied petroleum gas.

?This is why we are now directing the National Bureau of Investigation and all law enforcement agencies to intensify their campaign against the hoarding of [cooking gas].?

On Friday, Energy Department and NBI agents seized 2,000 cooking gas tanks in a warehouse in Sta. Cruz, Manila, that were allegedly being kept for refilling.

But an industry official said the cooking gas shortage was due to oil companies giving priority to industrial clients, who had supply contracts with them, before releasing leftover stocks to consumers.

?As far as we are concerned, there is no hoarding by re-fillers, and for the simple reason that there is nothing to hoard,? said Bernie Bolisay, president of the LPG Refillers Association.

?We also line up to get our supplies.?

Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes claimed that his department could not police the industry effectively because of the Oil Deregulation Law. But his department would continue to go after dishonest dealers.

Remonde said people should give Reyes a chance.

?He is asking for more powers because, according to him, there?s nothing much that [his department] can do right now,? Remonde said.

He said Reyes? request would be discussed once President Arroyo returned from her trip to Europe, the Middle East and the United States. Joyce Pangco Pa?ares, Alena Mae S. Flores, Roy Pelovello