TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines — After key players in petrol business in the province snubbed the first invitation for a meeting called by the lawmakers last week, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) turns to Department of Energy (DOE) for help over high price rates of petroleum products.
Board Member Tomas Abapo Jr. told his colleagues during the session on Friday that of the gas station managers, only one came to the meeting to tackle the sky-high prices of petroleum products sold in the province, which are higher than sold in other places.
Local dealers, however, deny they manipulate prices on petroleum products, saying it's their national offices that call the shots.
When asked why they cannot control the price hike on their products, one of the traders said they can't do it since they're being dictated by their office in Manila, said Abapo.
Abapo's move to invite Asec.Pullido II and Usec. Wimpy Fuentebella, both of the Department of Energy, to shed light on oil price crisis was unanimously approved during the session.
The officials are expected to be present at the session to be held at Henan Resort in Panglao on September 1.
Dealers have effected another round of increase in the prices of gasoline, diesel, and liquefied petroleum gas last week. They reportedly jacked up pump prices to one peso per liter for gasoline and diesel.
LPG, which was priced P685 per 11-kilogram tank in the previous months, now costs almost P800.
It can be recalled that amid circumstances surrounding the unusually-high fuel prices in Bohol, the provincial government posed a"threat" if the Big 3 – Caltex, Petron, and Shell – remain unyielding to the demand to reduce further their petroleum products' prices.
In fact, some provincial board members are toying with the idea of boycotting gas pump stations to further put pressure on the alleged "cartelized" Big 3 to bring their oil prices down.
Initially, part of the plan is to halt purchasing gasoline or diesel by big volume from the Big 3 for the provincial government's use for its numerous heavy equipment and service vehicles.
Earlier, Abapo proposed that the provincial government put up its own gas pumping stations to literally compete with the commercial dealers, mostly run by the Big 3. (FREEMAN)