• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) passed three separate resolutions seeking a multi-agency action against fuel hoarding and price manipulation to shield the public from rising oil costs.
The first resolution, authored by Councilor Em Ang, urges the City Local Price Coordinating Council, through Mayor Greg Gasataya, to intensify monitoring efforts.
The measure aims to ensure compliance with fuel pricing rules, prevent hoarding, and stop profiteering.
In a similar move, Councilor Roberto Rojas authored a resolution requesting the Department of Trade and Industry to closely monitor Bacolod’s rising fuel prices.
“This resolution aims to ensure that gasoline stations strictly comply with the price regulations issued by the government in order to prevent excessive and abusive pricing practices that may be detrimental to consumers,” Rojas said.
Meanwhile, Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr. authored a third resolution calling on the Department of Energy and the Philippine National Police to launch a crackdown on predatory business practices.
The measure emphasized the government’s responsibility to balance business interests with consumer welfare amidst global market instability.
Gamboa said that urgent vigilance is required to protect the public from artificial shortages and distorted price hikes on basic commodities.*
