By CESAR JOLITO III
The Bacolod City government has resumed inspections of gasoline stations across the city as part of efforts to monitor fuel prices and ensure adequate supply following recent increases in petroleum products.
Mayor Greg Gasataya ordered the deployment of fuel monitoring and inspection teams through a memorandum issued on March 13, directing city offices to conduct regular checks on fuel retail outlets.
The inspection teams are composed of personnel from the City Mayor’s Office, City Treasurer’s Office, Bacolod Police, City Legal Office, Business Permits and Licensing Office, and City Communications Office.
The initiative was launched in response to public concerns over rising fuel prices, which were linked to disruptions in oil transit routes passing through the Strait of Hormuz following the ongoing Middle East crisis.
Mayor’s Secretary Marty Go said the city teams are authorized to inspect fuel stations but do not have the power to impose penalties.
“The authority of our inspection team is to check prices and inventory. As to penalties, cease-and-desist orders or violations, only the Department of Energy [DOE] has the authority to issue them,” Go said.
He added that inspections will be conducted without disrupting the normal operations of gasoline stations.
However, refusal by a station manager to allow monitoring will raise suspicion and will be reported to DOE for further verification.
Inspection teams are tasked with monitoring several key factors, including the current retail prices of gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and liquefied petroleum gas; the actual fuel inventory of stations; the enforcement of vehicle purchase limits if applicable; and possible signs of hoarding, such as refusal to sell despite available stocks.
The City Treasurer’s Office reported that all gasoline stations in Bacolod have already implemented price increases based on rates released by DOE.
As of March 16, authorities said no cases of hoarding have been recorded in the city.
Cleony Secong Abalos of the City Treasurer’s Office said most fuel stations raised their prices by around P5 to P13.
“We also conducted fuel pump calibration to ensure accurate quantities delivered to customers,” Abalos said.
Fiscal Examiner Eric Apostol added that monitoring activities will continue to ensure fair pricing practices among fuel retailers in the city.
Recent pump prices in major fuel companies showed diesel and gasoline products ranging between P70 and P96 per liter, depending on the type of fuel and brand.
Fuel price increases began on March 10 with staggered adjustments across various petroleum products.
Another round of price changes is expected to take effect on March 17, according to the monitoring teams./CJ, WDJ