MANILA, Philippines—Consumers should brace themselves for an increase in the prices of cooking gas next month, as global oil prices continue its uptrend, according to the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers Association.

In a phone interview, LPGMA president Arnel Ty said the international contract price of LPG continues to increase since the beginning of the month.

"Since the first day of August until today, we're experiencing a price uptrend in the world market, compared to this month. However, we cannot say yet the exact price increase as we are still waiting for the final international contract price for September, which will be announced next week," Ty explained.

The international contract price of LPG for August stood at $511 per metric ton.

The anticipated increase in LPG prices in September would reverse the slight drop in LPG prices this month, of 80 centavos per kilogram or P8.80 per 11-kg cylinder.

LPGMA member companies, which supply LPG products to an estimated 30 percent of the Luzon market, carry brands such as Island Gas, Regasco Gas, Pinnacle Gas, Cat Gas, M-Gas, Omni Gas, and Nation Gas.