DOE: Sale of petroleum in fuel-grade drums allowed for legit use

The Department of Energy (DOE) on Thursday said the sale of petroleum products in fuel-grade drums or containers is allowed for “legitimate operational use.”

In an advisory, the DOE said that purchases using fuel-grade containers should be “consistent with the customer’s normal operational requirements and comply with applicable safety standards for fuel dispensing.”

“This applies to end-users or consumers whose operations depend on such modes of delivery, including fishing vessels and marine equipment operators, sea transport services, hospitals and other facilities using generator sets, local government units, users of agricultural machinery and equipment, telecommunications facilities, port service transport units, and other businesses with legitimate operational requirements,” it said.

The DOE issued the advisory as a reminder to the general public about anti-hoarding measures amid volatile fuel prices resulting from the Middle East conflict.

The Energy Department said that purchases must remain proportionate to a customer’s usual consumption and actual operational needs. 

The agency further said that “transactions that significantly exceed normal buying patterns may be subject to verification to ensure compliance with anti-hoarding regulations.”

With this, the DOE advised fuel retailers to carefully assess such transactions, particularly when the volume purchased appears inconsistent with the buyer’s declared purpose or established consumption pattern.

“Suspected violations may be reported through the eGovPH App, Hotline 8888, LGUs, or directly to the DOE through the Consumer Welfare and Promotion Office at 8840-2267, the DOE Official Facebook Messenger, or email at cwpo@doe.gov.ph,” it said. — Ted Cordero/RSJ, GMA Integrated News