Dealing with gasoline cheats

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor PATRICK PANGILINAN Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

There is a move from a partly-list member of Congress to require local government officials to check the operations of gasoline stations in their areas for possible short-changing of their customers. The solon said this is very necessary, especially now that the prices of gasoline and other fuel products have been erratically going up or down, often at very short notice.

The solon claimed that there are many fuel outlets that have been found to be using defective or intentionally adjusted pumps, so that they deliver less than what their customer pays for. It was also suggested that those caught practicing this should immediately be sanctioned or ordered to cease operations.

Among the irregularities discovered in some places in Metro Manila, it was reported, are manipulation of gas pumps, tampering of meters, and using defective pumps.

Notably, the congress member who made these suggestions lauded the efforts of Bacolod City where inspections of gas stations held recently had discovered some failures of operations to calibrate their pumps regularly. We hope, however, that the inspections and checks that were welcomed by the consuming public, will be a continuing project so operators will be kept on their toes.

Also, they should be made aware that local government units have the authority to recall or withdraw the business permits of fuel outlets found to be cheating their customers with the illegal practices already noted.

The motoring public is already beset with the problem of spiralling prices, and subjecting them to shortchanging, or cheating in this way is a crime that should be penalized immediately by local officials through the exercise of the powers and authority vested in them. This is one way of serving their constituents and saving them from being victimized by dishonest and heartless businessmen in the fuel sector.*