The city government has called on fuel retailers to strictly comply with oil price regulations as global market pressures continue to affect fuel costs, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.
The City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) has started monitoring gasoline stations across the city to ensure compliance following the announcement from the Department of Energy (DOE) regarding significant fuel price increases.
According to the DOE, 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 P32.00 to P38.50 for kerosene.
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 Department of Energy in investigating any reported violations.
Mayo added that the city will submit monitoring reports to the DOE, which has the authority to impose sanctions on establishments found violating price regulations.
Mayor Greg Gasataya has also 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.
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 March 10.*
