Baguio, far-flung areas hit by higher fuel prices

Diesel prices have climbed to around P90 per liter in Baguio City and other places across the country, as far-flung areas usually have higher cost when it comes to petroleum products.

According to Ian Cruz’s Tuesday report on “24 Oras,” fuel prices in Baguio are P10 more per liter compared to other locations due to its distance from the nearest oil depot, which is in Poro Point, La Union, which is about 60 kilometers away.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong explained the higher oil prices are mainly due to logistics costs determined by major industry players.

Authorities inspected 18 gas stations across the city to ensure their compliance to Department of Energy guidelines.

However, some gasoline stations, like the one near Baguio General Hospital, were forced to close after these ran out of gasoline and diesel.

Fuel prices were also higher in other far-flung areas.

In Batanes, diesel costs around P95 per liter, with the nearest oil depot still in the Ilocos region.

Meanwhile in Catanduanes, diesel is at P88 per liter, while in Masbate Island, prices have reached P92 per liter.

Aside from monitoring petroleum prices, the Baguio local government is also monitoring the prices of basic goods to ensure no one is taking advantage of the oil price hikes.

Magalong said he will coordinate with DOE and major oil companies to create official documents specifying fair prices.

He added that the Baguio LGU has managed to lower prices twice before, but without proper monitoring, they gradually return to previous costs. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News