• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Diesel prices will breach the P100 per liter mark this week following the P20.40 to P23.90/L increase that will be implemented on staggered basis starting today, March 17.
Diesel prices will reach P114.90 per liter, gasoline at P91.60/L, after a phased increase of P12.90 to P16.60, and kerosene at P143.79/L, with the approved hike of P6.90 to P8.90, the Department of Energy said.
The second straight week of double-digit adjustments in the pump prices of petroleum products reflects the soaring prices of oil in the global market, still due to escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya, meanwhile, assured that fuel monitoring and inspection teams will “remain on the ground to check on fuel stations to protect consumers from possible price manipulation or irregularities.”
“We assure everyone that we are exploring measures to help mitigate the impact of rising fuel costs on transportation, livelihood, and basic commodities,” he said in a statement March 16, adding the city government will continue to monitor oil prices and coordinate with the DOE and fuel industry stakeholders to ensure transparency and compliance with prevailing regulations.
The DOE also said that the sale of petroleum products in fuel-grade drums or containers remains allowed for legitimate operational use, provided that such purchases are consistent with the customer’s normal operational requirements and comply with applicable safety standards for fuel dispensing.
This applies to end-users or consumers, whose operations depend on such modes of delivery, including fishing vessels and marine equipment operators, sea transport services, hospitals and other facilities using generator sets, local government units, users of agricultural machinery and equipment, telecommunications facilities, port service transport units, and other businesses with legitimate operational requirements.
Purchases must remain proportionate to a customer’s usual consumption and actual operational needs, the DOE said in a statement. “Transactions that significantly exceed normal buying patterns may be subject to verification to ensure compliance with anti-hoarding regulations.”
The department urged fuel retailers to carefully assess such transactions, particularly when the volume purchased appears inconsistent with the buyer’s declared purpose or established consumption pattern.
Suspected violations may be reported through the eGovPH App, Hotline 8888, LGUs, or directly to the DOE at 8840 2267, the DOE Official Facebook Messenger, or via email at cwpo@doe.gov.ph | CGC
