Gas stations not reflecting rollback? Report them, says DOE
MANILA — The Department of Energy urged motorists to report gas companies that are not reflecting rollbacks on pump prices, as this might fall under unlawful price manipulation.
DOE Oil Industry Management Bureau Director Rino Abad said head offices of oil companies are primarily tasked with informing their downline gasoline station networks to implement mandated price adjustments.
The agency is also conducting random inspections across gasoline stations to ensure compliance, according to Abad.
“Pag ikaw ay na-timing o natsambahan na doon sa random inspection, ikaw ‘yung na-inspect namin, ikaw ho ang masa-subject sa show cause [order] at the same time, ma-pe-penalize po kayo kung hindi niyo madepensahan bakit hindi niyo sinunod ‘yung mandated adjustment,” Abad told state media PTV in a phone interview Tuesday, November 10.
Abad advised the public to report potentially erring gas stations to the 8888 complaint hotline or via the “Gas Station Concerns” feature on the eGovPH app.
“Ang mga ganitong klaseng complaint ang talagang inuuna ng department namin para gawan ng inspection,” the official stated.
The DOE has ordered oil firms to implement the following price reduction based on imported oil price movements as well as other factors:
Diesel – P4.10/L rollback
Gasoline – P16.80/L rollback
Kerosene – P3.70/L rollback
The DOE attributes the big-time rollback, effective today, to the growing expectations of positive prospects of peace on the US–Iran conflict and the Democrats’ victory in the US midterm elections.
“Kinokontra na ng population ng US, majority of which, ayaw na talaga ng tuluy-tuloy pa na military conflict doon sa Persian Gulf,” Abad said.
But the question remains whether the expectations from the positive developments would translate into tangible results. Otherwise, according to Abad, fuel prices will once again become volatile.
“Masusundan ba itong expectation ngayon ng actual recovery and physical oil supply to the global market brought about by an actual peace agreement? ‘Yun ho ‘yung caution sa oil market report,” the energy official noted.
Abad assured “more than sufficient” oil supply with 50 days for liquid fuel and almost 30 days for LPG.