Fuel pumps stock photo
MANILA, Philippines — Senatorial aspirant Jinggoy Estrada urged local government units (LGUs) on Monday to regularly calibrate fuel pumps to protect motorists from being cheated by station operators.
“As our countrymen face an unabated surge in fuel prices, the least that we can do is to make sure motorists, especially operators and drivers of public utility vehicles, are not being cheated by defective and fraudulent gasoline pumps,” Estrada said.
“We should close down and arrest immediately arrest those who are cheating. Our countrymen have been suffering from the weekly rise in fuel prices, but these plunderers are bent on making Filipinos suffer more,” he added in Filipino.
According to Estrada, LGUs are authorized to inspect gas stations and guarantee that all operating fuel pumps are accurate.
He cited a memorandum issued by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in 2004 mandating LGUs to visit all fuel stations and ensure that their pumps are working properly.
It also enjoined local executives to immediately close down stations that use fraudulent pumps and file criminal charges against them.
However, Estrada noted that this is only done quarterly.
“LGUs should conduct inspections more often, say once every month, to reduce opportunities for fraud,” said Estrada.
“Surprise inspections may also be considered to further guarantee that we are getting the right amount of fuel for our hard-earned money,” he added.
READ: Energy dep’t urges LGUs to monitor gas stations