The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod approved a resolution on Wednesday, April 22, requesting Mayor Greg Gasataya to conduct an examination of potential fuel contamination and impurities in Bacolod City.
The resolution, authored by Councilor Wilson Gamboa, further calls for the strict enforcement of City Ordinance No. 601, Series of 2012, which mandates the calibration and sealing of dispensing pumps at all liquid petroleum retail outlets within the jurisdiction of Bacolod City.
Gamboa emphasized that the resolution is grounded in the existing city ordinance, which serves as a comprehensive guide for the regulation, registration, and sealing of fuel pumps.
Under this law, all fuel dispensing units must undergo regular examinations and spot-checks to ensure they meet technical standards.
This measure is designed to protect consumers from the dual threats of over-charging and under-dispensing, which can lead to significant financial loss and compromised vehicle performance, he said.
Beyond consumer protection, Gamboa explained that controlling fuel quality and ensuring accurate measurements also benefit the retailers themselves by preventing unintentional fuel loss due to faulty equipment.
The resolution highlights that maintaining fuel efficiency and safety standards is essential for the local economy, particularly as the ordinance applies to all existing and aspiring petroleum businesses in the city, Gamboa said.
Gamboa noted that ongoing tensions in the Middle East have led to volatile and rising fuel prices.
Ensuring every liter of fuel is accurately measured and free from contamination is no longer just a matter of regulatory compliance, but a moral obligation to the public, he said.*
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