To ensure good quality and fair pricing and distribution of petroleum products, the Local Price Coordinating Council (LPCC) together with the Department of Energy (DOE) conducted a joint inspection among gasoline stations and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stores here.

Since the implementation of Republic Act 8479, also known as the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1998, the pricing, exportation, and importation of petroleum products are no longer under government control.

“Tungod naa nata'y deregulation law or kato R.A. 8479, wala na gyu'y control ang government sa prices sa atoang mga LPG og diesel fuels. So ang ginabuhat namo karon is to monitor the prices as well as to secure or ensure the security of supply sa tanang petroleum products,” said DOE Senior Science Research Specialist Alpres Russel Bustillo.

[Since we now have the (oil) deregulation law or the R.A. 8479, the government has no more control over the prices of our LPG and diesel fuels (products). So, what we did is monitoring the prices as well as ensure the security of supply of all petroleum products].

Moreover, as part of the inspection, Licensing Officer Maria Rhodora Omlero of Iligan City Permit and License Division said their office is focused on ensuring the compliance of the operators and dealers to business permits and other requirements.

The LPCC is composed of CHO, Permits & Licenses Division of City Mayor’s Office, Department of Trade and Industry, Bureau of Fire Protection, City Information Office, and Philippine Information Agency. (ASK/PIA)