Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya has deployed dedicated inspection teams to resume monitoring fuel prices and supplies in the city, an initiative first launched last week amid rising fuel costs. In a memorandum issued March 13, the Mayor ordered the immediate deployment of Fuel Monitoring and Inspection Teams, composed of personnel from the City Mayor’s Office, City Treasurer’s Office, Bacolod PNP, City Legal Office, Business Permits and Licensing Office, and City Communications Office. The move comes in response to concerns over fuel price hikes caused by disruptions in oil transit routes through the Strait of Hormuz, linked to the recent Middle East crisis. Atty. Marty Go, Secretary to the Mayor, clarified that the authority to issue violations remains with the Department of Energy (DOE), and the teams can conduct inspections without disrupting station operations. “The authority of our inspection team is to check its prices and inventory. As to the penalty and issuance of cease-and-desist order (CDO) or any violations, only the DOE has the authority to do so.” He added that if a gasoline station manager refuses to be monitored, it raises suspicion and will be reported directly to the DOE for verification. The teams focus on key areas across Bacolod’s retail outlets, including: – Current retail prices of gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG); – Actual fuel supply inventories; – Enforcement of vehicle purchase limits, if applicable; – Signs of hoarding, such as refusal to sell despite available stock. The City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) reported all gasoline stations implemented price hikes in line with DOE-released rates. As of March 16, no hoarding has been recorded in the city. Cleony Secong Abalos, Clerk from the CTO, said most stations have increased prices by 5 to 13 pesos. “Most of the gasoline stations implemented an increase ranging from 5-13 pesos. We also conducted fuel pump calibration to ensure accurate quantities delivered to customers.” Eric Apostol, a Fiscal Examiner from the CTO, added: “We will continue to monitor to ensure fair fuel pricing in the city.” Recent prices from major stations are as follows: – Petron: Turbo Diesel P83.10, Diesel P81.10, XCS P71.60, XTRA Advance P70.60; – Shell: V-Power Diesel P96, Fuelsave Diesel P87.50, V-Power Gasoline P78.60, Fuelsave Gas P70.70; – Caltex: Diesel P87.40, Platinum P75, Silver P74. Fuel price hikes first began March 10, with staggered increases across all product types. A second wave of adjustments is scheduled for tomorrow, March 17. (Bacolod City Communications Office)