Sunday, July 20, 2008 Councilor asks: Check stations
A NEW task force of the justice and energy departments will summon the oil companies’ representatives tomorrow and ask them to explain why they raised diesel prices by P3 and gasoline prices by P1 a liter.
Oil companies again raised prices yesterday, the 20th adjustment so far in 2008. They also raised the price of kerosene by P1.50 a liter.
Cebu City Councilor Edgardo Labella now wants gas stations inspected at random to make sure they give customers the right amount of fuel.
At the Capitol, Cebu Provincial Board (PB) Member Victor Maambong urged local government units (LGUs) to promote the use of bicycles instead of gas-guzzling vehicles.
Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes said oil firms should explain why they increased prices again, when the price of oil abroad is going down.
“Now that we have a task force we will assign prosecutors to summon them,” Reyes said.
Word of the latest increase prompted transport groups to plan for a two-day strike, although minimum fares were recently increased.
This Thursday, cab drivers can begin charging P10 on top of the metered fare, with government’s approval. Last month, soaring oil and food prices dragged inflation to a 14-year high, at 11.4 percent.
Worse, Councilor Labella said he has received reports that some refueling stations give customers less than what they pay for.
He is asking the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO), in coordination with the Department of Energy (DOE) 7, to immediately conduct random inspections of stations, particularly the calibration of their pumps.
“It has been brought to the attention of the City Government of Cebu that there are some retailing stations allegedly using defective gasoline dispensing pump machines,” he said in a proposed resolution.
“While vigilance and alertness are demanded of a consumer in every commercial transaction, still, it behooves upon the concerned government agencies to promote and protect consumers’ welfare,” Labella said.
He heads the council committee on laws, ordinances, public accountability and good government.
Under City Ordinance 69 or Omnibus Tax Ordinance, the CTO can inspect establishments at random, including retail outlets that sell petroleum products.
PB Member Maambong, meanwhile, said that using vehicles will not only help vehicle owners save on fuel expenses, but may also help reduce “greenhouse gas” emissions.
The benefits of riding a bicycle, “either for utilitarian or recreational purposes,” according to Maambong, can be seen in terms of improved environmental and personal health, reduced traffic congestion, an enhanced quality of life and economic rewards.
“It is noteworthy that bicycling can reap many benefits in terms of reduced traffic congestion and improved quality of life,” said Maambong in a proposed resolution.
The PB conducts its regular session on Mondays, while the Cebu City Council meets on Wednesday afternoons. (RHM/GMD/With Sunnex)
