Report gas stations that won't roll back prices, says DOE

The Department of Energy (DOE) reminded oil firms to fully implement the bigtime fuel rollback, asking motorists to report gas stations that do not lower prices accordingly.

In a 24 Oras report from Dano Tingcungco, many motorists reported that they did not feel the difference even as the mega oil price rollback kicked off on Tuesday.

“Bandang Fairview, merong mga mas matataas pa rin kumpara sa estasyon na ‘to…hinintay ko talaga tong rollback na ito para makapagpa-gas,” said driver Cris.

(Around Fairview, there are a few that are still higher compared to this station… I have really been waiting for this rollback to fill up with gas.)

Other motorists still feel like despite the rollback, gas prices were still high.

The DOE has reminded fuel firms to fully implement the rollback, unless they want to explain why they should not be reprimanded for violating the Oil Deregulation Law.

“Iniistagger natin pag-paakyat, pero ‘pag pababa wala pong ganansya ang ating mga mamimili kung staggered ang decrease… mandated sa ngayong panahon ang mga adjustment,” DOE Undersecretary Alessandro Sales said.

(We stagger the increase, but the decrease does not have a profit on our consumers if the decrease is staggered… it is mandated at this time to have adjustments.)

The DOE also said that there is no talks with oil firms to stagger a rollback.

“Definitely ang implementation would be a one-time implementation of decrease,” DOE Oil Industry Management Bureau Director Rino Abad said.

Because of this, the public can report to the DOE if there are erring gas stations who do not fully implement the rollback. The DOE will investigate the matter.

“May provision doon sa Oil Deregulation Law, under emergency at meron, DOE may direct, ito 'yung tinatawag na dini-direct ng DOE partly 'yung business nila, in terms of the mandated adjustment. At may kasamang penalty kapag hindi ka sumunod doon sa provision na 'yan na ina-allow 'yung DOE to direct the operation, in this case specifically the implementation of the mandated price adjustment,” Abad said.

(There is a provision in the Oil Deregulation Law, under emergency, DOE may direct or, we call this, DOE could direct their business, in terms of the mandated adjustment. And there is a penalty if you do not follow that provision allowing the DOE to direct the operation, in this case the implementation of the mandated price adjustment.)

Abad said that they would want to know the specific address of the gas station to be able to go to it and investigate. — Jean Mangaluz/BM, GMA News

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