55 Gas Stations in Hot Water — DOE Issues Show-Cause Orders Over Fuel Price Violations
The Department of Energy isn't playing around. Energy Secretary Sharon Garin announced that the DOE has issued show-cause orders against 55 gas stations across the country for allegedly ignoring the government's staggered fuel price increase scheme — a system designed to soften the blow of what could be the largest single-week price hike in recent memory.
Out of 87 reported violations, 78 have already been reviewed, with the offending stations now required to explain within 24 hours why they shouldn't face penalties. Most of the complaints came from Metro Manila, particularly in Mandaluyong, Manila, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, and Quezon City, where motorists reported stations implementing sudden large price jumps, refusing to sell fuel, or hoarding supplies.
To prevent price shock, major oil companies including Shell, Petron, Chevron (Caltex), Seaoil, Total, and Jetti agreed to spread their adjustments across several days instead of one massive Tuesday hike. But some smaller stations apparently didn't get — or chose to ignore — the memo.
The DOE is urging the public to report irregularities through the eGov PH Super App, where consumers can upload photos and videos of suspected violations like unauthorized price hikes, panic buying, or fuel hoarding. Meanwhile, the government is also looking into having the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) procure about one million barrels of diesel as a contingency reserve.
With gasoline prices up for nine consecutive weeks and diesel and kerosene rising for ten straight weeks, Filipino motorists are feeling the squeeze harder than ever. Brent crude has now exceeded $114 per barrel, and there's no sign of relief anytime soon.
Source: Context.ph
