DOE asks LGUs to help curb illegal acts in petrol industry
By Jennifer C. Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, Nov 11 (PIA) --The Department of Energy (DOE) in the Visayas urged local government units (LGUs) of Negros Oriental and Siquijor provinces to regularly calibrate and seal the pumps of gasoline stations to protect consumers from illegal fuel price hikes.
DOE-Visayas Senior Science Research Specialist, Engr. Octavio Belarmino said the LGUs are the primary agency mandated to calibrate every dispensing pumps in 60 days. Belarmino shared this during the campaign- briefing on the Downstream Oil Industry (DOI) on November 7 in Dumaguete City.
Belarmino explained that for technical reasons, the LGUs are reluctant and incapable to calibrate, but they can ask an authorized calibrator or the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to do the calibration.
The calibration process, according to Belarmino requires an LGU to have a calibration bucket which can be obtained from a duly licensed company recognized by DOE and a leaded seal normally being placed on weight and measures that can be placed in the pumps after calibration.
The DOE also calls on the LGUs to help implement government’s rules and regulations in the retailing of liquid petroleum products (LPP) to ensure the safety and promote fair trade practices in the fuel industry.
Belarmino said the common practices that are punishable under the LPP retail regulations are illegal trading, hoarding, and use of pumps with broken seal, or uncalibrated and unsealed pumps.
It is required for the LPP dealers to secure certificates on fire safety from Bureau of Fire, DENR’s environmental compliance, and DOE’s compliance certificate, Belarmino informed the participants of the briefing.
DOE may recommend to local government the suspension and revocation of business permits of retailers found violating the LPP regulations.
Energy Industry Management Division supervisor Jose Rey Maleza told the local treasurers and business licensing officers of various LGUs to encourage the legislative and executive bodies to pass a local ordinance as part of its revenue code requiring the collection of calibration fees.
Maleza said calibration fees could be a source of revenue for LGUs as several gasoline stations are sprouting.
To stop the proliferation of unsafe practices, Maleza also called on the LGUs to monitor and inspect illegal operation of roadside stores selling gasoline and diesel in bottles. (mbcn/JCT-PIA 7, Negros Oriental)