DOE to probe higher gas prices in Bacolod
PIA Press Release 2009/10/27Bacolod City (27 October) -- Investigation in underway on the observed higher gasoline prices in Bacolod City after a resolution authored by Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr. was submitted to the Department of Energy (DOE) for appropriate action.
In his reply, DOE Undersecretary Roy Kyamco said that since the Republic Act 8479 or the "Downstream Oil Industry Defegulation Act of 1998" was imposed, the prices gasoline and crude oil products were based on supply and demand and the price of crude oil in the international market.
He said the law has liberalized the downstream oil industry that promoted market competition " wherein the prices of petroleum products are governed and influenced by several factors/indicators such as the crude oil in he international market, the foreign exchange rate, spot prices and the interplay of market forces /conditions in a particular trading area."
"It is for this reason that prices may vary across locations as these are dictated by the market," Kyamko added.
He has endorsed the issue to concerned oil companies operating in the area of Bacolod City requesting asking them to submit written explanations on the price situation of oil here.
"Also we have directed our director for the Visayas field Office, Engr. Antonio Labios, to conduct a thorough assessment and evaluation of the price situation in your area," he said.
The gas price issue was spurred when Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) Vice President for External Affairs Jose Maria Zayco questioned the fuel prices in Bacolod as being higher by P4-P6 per liter when Negros Occ. is close to Batangas where most companies get their fuel supply.
Surprisingly, gas prices in some cities in Mindanao are cheaper compared to Bacolod. (PIA-LOL)
OUR BLOG in September of 2009
During the BPCCI Meeting held at the Hotel La Corona de Lipa this Sept. 17, 2009, one of the issues raised is the hiGHHH price of gasoline and fuels in the vicinity of Batangas City.
This prompted me to look at the receipts BPCCI has on file and this is what we found. In Batangas City Petron Station last Sept. 12, 2009 the price for XCS is P45.64 per liter, while on the same day at the Rico Shell Station in Lipa City, it is priced at 41.00 per liter, and in Metro Manila it is around P38.00 to P39.00 --- Php4.64 difference from Batangas to Lipa City.
On Sept. 6, 2009 at the Diversion Petron Station, it is 46.62 per liter. Oct. 8, 2009 at the Shell Station, Unleaded was 44.520 per liter. Bauan Petron on August 2, 2009 it was 43.45 per liter. On Aug. 16, 2009 at San Pascual Caltex, Silver was 46.550 per liter. August 19 at the Shell Station, Unleaded was 46.55 per liter. All these when prevailing prices in Metro Manila was way below P40.00.
It is a supply-and-demand economy anyway. What we, and we found out that so many of our friends have been doing, during the last few months is gas up just enough to get to Lipa or to Turbina / Calamba to save P5.00 per liter, gas up enough there to get to Manila or Makati to save another P2.00 or more per litter and fill her up where it is much cheaper. Maybe the Batangas City stations haven't noticed their diminishing sales yet.
Anyway, the issue has been officially raised. I am here to let you know what is happening. The action belongs, really to the people.
NEWEST Update: After raising the question, in late September - we gassed up in Batangas City and it was P41.00 . Quite an improvement from P45-46.00. We gassed up October 27, 2009 at 14:00 in Lipa City and it was P39.25 per liter for SilverTechron.
What says you? Bacolod?
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