Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson on Monday appealed to the consciences of gasoline station owners not to take advantage of the current situation, amid reports that some retailers had already raised their prices ahead of the scheduled adjustment on Tuesday, March 10.
He said while the Department of Energy (DOE) said that the country had a two-month fuel inventory when the Middle East crisis began on Feb. 28, large price hikes took effect right away.
Long lines of vehicles were seen at gasoline stations in Bacolod on Monday ahead of the scheduled new round of fuel price hikes on Tuesday.
Some gasoline stations closed early on Monday, saying they ran out of fuel to sell.
“I think more than ever we need to pray very hard because this Middle East situation could get out of hand and could get worst,” Lacson said.
Mayor Greg Gasataya on Monday said he has directed the regular monitoring of gasoline stations, emphasizing that fuel retailers must not implement price increases before the scheduled adjustment date and must avoid hoarding, which is considered illegal.
The city government, in a press statement, called on fuel retailers to strictly comply with oil price regulations.
The City Treasurer’s Office has started monitoring gasoline stations across the city to ensure compliance following the announcement from the DOE regarding significant fuel price increases.
The DOE said fuel retailers are expected to implement price adjustments per liter ranging from P7 to P13 for gasoline, P17.50 to P24.25 for diesel, and P32 to P38.50 for kerosene.
The DOE also announced that several oil companies have agreed to implement staggered pump price adjustments for petroleum products.
City Administrator Mark Mayo urged business owners to conduct their operations fairly and responsibly, particularly during this challenging period influenced by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
“We are appealing to business owners to be just and fair in conducting their operations. All activities must remain within the bounds of the law,” Mayo said.
He assured that the city government is ready to coordinate with the DOE in investigating any reported violations.
Mayo added that the city government will submit monitoring reports to the DOE, which has the authority to impose sanctions on establishments found violating price regulations.
During the initial monitoring, four gasoline stations were inspected.
One station was observed to have already increased its prices ahead of the scheduled adjustment on Tuesday.
Ronald Genciane of the LKB gasoline station explained that they implemented an early P3 per liter price adjustment due to increases from their supplier, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.
“We adjusted our prices because our supplier has already increased its rates. We do not have our own fuel depot, and our business cannot operate without making these adjustments,” Genciane was quoted as saying.*
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