A GASOLINE station in Baguio City. (Baguio City PIO FB)
BAGUIO CITY – The city government said Wednesday that gasoline stations here are generally compliant with measures against overpricing and hoarding of fuel.
Darryl Kim Longid, head of the city’s Public Order and Safety Division, in a video statement posted by the Public Information Office, said that based on the report of the Local Price Monitoring Council, only a few gasoline stations were ordered to explain deviations to the price adjustments and schedules set by the Department of Energy (DOE).
“Nag-ikot tayo sa key gas stations to ensure that they are following the guidelines set forth by DOE on price increases in light of what is going on with the global fuel crisis at napansin natin na largely compliant ang gas stations (We went around to key gas stations to ensure that they are following the guidelines set by the DOE, and we saw that they are largely compliant),” Longid said.
He, however, noted that some operators of erring gasoline stations said the directives to adjust prices came from their companies' head offices.
He said the council will continue to monitor fuel prices, which are greatly affected by tensions in the Middle East.
He, however, noticed that some fuel varieties were not available in some gasoline stations.
Longid said gas station operators are also implementing anti-hoarding measures.
“Ang gas stations, hindi pumapayag mag-refill ng gallon except ang tank ng sasakyan para walang makapag-hoard (The gas stations only allow refilling of the vehicle’s fuel tank and not containers to prevent hording),” he said.
“There is no point in panicking, let us just fill what we need for the day or the week.”
Baguio Rep. Mauricio Domogan, in a congressional hearing on Tuesday, raised questions to the DOE on the big discrepancy in fuel prices in the city, which is P10 to P15 higher per liter compared to the prices in La Union and in some parts of Benguet province.
The city government earlier warned gasoline stations that their business permits may be revoked if they are found to be engaging in unfair and illegal trade practices.
The Local Price Monitoring Council is also monitoring the prices of basic commodities to protect consumers against undue price hikes. (PNA)