The Department of Energy (DOE) has recognized Bacolod City for its regular monitoring of petroleum retail outlets, noting the city’s proactive efforts in ensuring compliance with industry regulations.
“Bacolod is one of the highly urbanized cities in the Visayas that regularly monitors our gasoline stations,” said J. Rey Maleza, Division Chief of the DOE Oil Industry Management Division, during a coordination meeting held Thursday, November 12, at the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO).
Maleza also cited Tacloban City for its consistent monitoring efforts, noting that both cities have maintained regular oversight of gasoline stations and LPG establishments throughout the region, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.
Secretary to the Mayor Jose Marty Go, who represented the Office of the Mayor at the meeting, received the DOE’s latest inspection findings and discussed priority concerns requiring coordinated action from the City Government and partner agencies.
The DOE recently inspected 27 randomly selected gasoline stations across Bacolod.
Findings showed that not all inspected stations possessed the required DOE Certificate of Compliance (COC) — the official document proving registration and authorization to sell petroleum products.
“Having a local business permit does not automatically mean that a gasoline station or LPG establishment is registered and compliant with DOE requirements,” Maleza said.
The DOE commended the active involvement of the Bacolod City Treasurer’s Office in monitoring activities. The agency also sought the continued support of the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) to ensure that establishments secure their DOE Certificate of Compliance before any business permit is issued or renewed.
The meeting also addressed compliance with the government’s mandatory weekly price adjustments under the ongoing State of National Energy Emergency. Maleza explained that non-compliant outlets may be issued a show-cause order and, where warranted, referred to the DOE’s legal office for further action.
Representatives from the BPLO, City Treasurer’s Office, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and Philippine National Police (PNP) also joined the discussion, raising issues and recommendations to improve monitoring and enforcement, the press release said.*
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