WHEREAS, under Republic Act No. 8479, otherwise known as "An Act Deregulating the Downstream Oil Industry and For Other Purposes," otherwise known as the "Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1998" (the "Act"), it was the declared policy of the State to ensure a truly competitive market under a regime of fair prices, adequate and continuous supply of environmentally clean and high quality petroleum products. To this end, the State shall promote and encourage the entry of new participants in the downstream oil industry, and introduce adequate measures to ensure the attainment of these goals;