Republic Act (RA) 8479 was passed into law in 1998. It paved the way for the deregulation of the downstream oil industry. RA 8479 has two objectives: to ensure a truly competitive market under a regime of fair prices, and to ensure adequate and continuous supply of environmentally clean and high-quality petroleum products. This study looks at the implementation of RA 8479, particularly by the Department of Energy (DOE). It presents the modes of and outcomes emanating from the implementation of RA 8479, and identitifes issues in attaining the objectives of the law, based on the analysis of the law and its implementation. The scope is limited mainly to the DOE's role in the overall administration of the downstream oil industry, while mentioning only in passing the role of other agencies.
