The Department of Energy (DOE) is seeking support from the Bacolod City government to register liquid fuel retail outlets that are currently operating without the required Certificate of Compliance (COC), the Philippine News Agency reported.
The push for compliance follows a recent inspection of 27 randomly selected gasoline stations across the city. These inspections revealed that several establishments lacked the official documentation necessary to prove they are authorized to sell petroleum products.
While many of these businesses hold local permits, a business permit alone does not satisfy national energy regulations. This distinction creates a regulatory gap that the DOE is now working to close through closer coordination with local officials.
“Having a local business permit does not automatically mean that a gasoline station or liquefied petroleum gas establishment is registered and compliant with DOE requirements,” said Jose Rey Maleza, chief of the DOE-Visayas Field Office Oil Industry Management Division.
To address these gaps, the DOE met with Secretary to Mayor Jose Marty Go on Thursday, November 12, to discuss the inspection findings and coordinate enforcement actions. The agency is specifically requesting that the city’s Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) ensure every establishment secures a COC before any local business permit is issued or renewed, according to Digicast Negros.
The coordination involves several key local entities. Representatives from the BPLO, the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have joined discussions to improve how these stations are monitored and enforced.
The City Treasurer’s Office currently leads the local monitoring efforts. Personnel from the CTO check three to four gasoline stations every weekday to ensure they meet city standards. Based on data from the CTO Revenue Inspection and Miscellaneous Services Section, Bacolod City currently has 142 gasoline stations.
Beyond basic registration, the meetings have also addressed the government’s mandate for weekly price adjustments. This requirement is part of the ongoing State of National Energy Emergency, which requires outlets to follow specific pricing protocols.
The DOE has indicated that stations failing to comply with these regulations may face administrative consequences. Non-compliant outlets may be issued a show-cause order and, if necessary, referred to the DOE’s legal office for further action, Digicast Negros reported.
Despite the issues found during the random sampling, the DOE said that Bacolod remains a leader in regional oversight. Maleza said that Bacolod is one of the highly urbanized cities in the Visayas that regularly monitors its gasoline stations, citing the city’s proactive efforts in maintaining industry regulations.
The DOE also identified Tacloban City as another location that has maintained consistent monitoring of gasoline and LPG establishments throughout the region.
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