Bacolod council seeks stricter fuel rollback monitoring

BACOLOD CITY – The City Council is calling for continuous monitoring of gasoline stations to ensure that announced fuel price rollbacks reach consumers on time.

The measure comes after a sharp reduction in fuel prices, offering potential relief to drivers, delivery riders, workers and businesses facing high transport costs.

A recently approved resolution authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito urges the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Trade and Industry, City Price Monitoring Council and concerned city offices, through Mayor Greg Gasataya’s office, to strengthen monitoring.

The resolution calls on the price monitoring council, City Legal Office and Business Permits and Licensing Division to coordinate with national agencies in inspecting gasoline stations and verifying pump prices.

It also asks them to check whether the reductions announced by oil companies are reflected in prices charged to consumers on the companies’ stated effective dates and times.

“Kon may gin-anunsyo nga rollback ang mga oil companies, dapat maimplementar ini sa insakto nga oras kag petsa,” Distrito said, stressing that consumers should not face delays.

“Every peso saved from fuel expenses matters, labi na sa aton mga jeepney drivers, tricycle drivers, delivery riders, workers, small business owners, kag mga ordinaryo nga mga motorista nga subong naga agwanta sa kamahal sang mga balaklon,” he said.

The resolution urges concerned agencies to establish an accessible consumer complaint mechanism, conduct regular inspections and document suspected violations.

It also calls for verified complaints to be referred to the DOE and other appropriate authorities for possible sanctions or other lawful remedies.

The council requested periodic monitoring reports for submission to the mayor’s office and the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

Distrito said the measure does not seek to regulate or dictate petroleum prices, noting that the industry operates under Republic Act 8479, or the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1998.

Instead, he said the resolution seeks transparency and compliance with the reductions publicly announced by oil companies.

“We cannot allow consumers to be shortchanged. If oil companies announce a price rollback, gasoline stations must faithfully implement their announced reductions,” Distrito said.

He said the measure also aims to promote fair business practices and ensure that consumers benefit from lower fuel prices.

For Nov. 10 to 16, the DOE announced reductions of PHP 16.80 per liter for gasoline, PHP 4.10 per liter for diesel and PHP 3.70 per liter for kerosene.

The department attributed the decline in international oil prices partly to easing concerns about disruptions linked to the U.S.-Iran conflict.

The DOE said petroleum inventories provided a sufficient buffer for the country’s fuel requirements amid changing global market conditions.