DOE inspects gas stations in Cebu amid rising fuel prices

HIGHER PUMP PRICES Fuel prices are again increasing this week, prompting agriculture and transport workers to seek help from the government. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

CEBU CITY — The Department of Energy (DOE) Visayas Field Office conducted an “on-the-spot” inspection to randomly selected gasoline stations in Metro Cebu on Friday amid the rising fuel prices across the country.

According to the DOE regional office, the inspections are conducted to ensure that the gauges are working fine and not under-refilling, and that prices are not unreasonably high.

Among those visited by the DOE team include an independent station in Talisay City, a Caltex station in Cebu City, a Petron station in Mandaue City, and a Shell station in Lapu-Lapu City.

Prices of gasoline in Metro Cebu range between P66 and P75 per liter while diesel is now priced between P59 to P66, depending on the refilling station.

Here is a check at the fuel prices for the three big players in Cebu area:

At a Petron station in Cebu City, Diesel is priced at P59.92 while Gasoline Xtra and XCS are P66.15 and P66.90.

For Caltex, prices of diesel are at P62.60 while gasoline variants are between P68.65 and P69.64.

At a Shell station in Cebu City, prices of diesel variants are at P62 to P66 while gasoline variants are at P70 to P75.

None of the inspected gasoline stations in Metro Cebu were found violating the DOE rules so far, according to DOE Visayas director Mark Gamallo.

The agency will still be conducting more surprise inspections soon.

The DOE inspection team used a calibrating bucket instrument to verify compliance of the quantity of petroleum products being sold by the dealers. Samples of the products were also taken to check on the quality standards.

Based on the inspected stations, the price of petroleum products in Metro Cebu are within reasonable range as per projections from the DOE.

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JPV