CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY ― Authorities here have flagged nine gasoline stations for alleged fuel price overpricing and premature price adjustments after inspection teams from the Department of Energy (DOE) and the local monitoring board conducted rounds to check the fuel situation.
The inspections were carried out as part of ongoing efforts by the DOE and local authorities to ensure that fuel retailers comply with government regulations on price adjustments and protect consumers from possible overpricing.
Jose Edgardo Uy, chair of the Cagayan de Oro Regulatory Compliance Board, said the board will investigate the flagged stations to determine if they face sanctions or penalties for violating fuel pricing guidelines.
Uy said DOE officials from Davao City and the local monitoring team found the stations selling overpriced fuel during Wednesday's ocular inspections.
“Some were selling their fuel for as much as P92 per liter for diesel and P76 per liter for gasoline,” Uy said.
The DOE’s suggested pump prices for Mindanao are about P69.59 per liter for diesel and P71 per liter for gasoline.
Uy added that inspectors also found three of the gas stations operating without business permits or certificates of compliance, in addition to overpricing fuel.
In Camiguin, Governor Xavier Jesus Romualdo identified 19 gasoline stations on the island selling fuel beyond the price range set by the DOE.
READ: Camiguin flags 19 gas stations for overpricing
Romualdo issued show-cause orders to gas station owners, demanding they explain why the province should not suspend or revoke their business permits.
