A random inspection of gasoline stations in Bacolod City was conducted yesterday by a task force led by Bacolod Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson to check the accuracy of the calibration of pumping machines of gasoline stations in the city.

Sayson said they inspected the gasoline stations of Seaoil, Caltex, Petron, Shell, Pryce Gas, and Jetti, all in Barangay Villamonte, and found the business permits of three gasoline stations defective.

There was one gasoline station selling Liquified Petroleum Gas, which was not included in its business permit, so the operator was advised to rectify it since the deadline for payment of business permits has been extended up to March 31, he said.

Another gasoline station, whose line of business in its application for business permit is “oil and lubricants,” is selling gasoline, Sayson said. So they were also asked to correct their permit, he said.

Sayson said, of the six gasoline stations they inspected, only one had a pumping machine whose calibration is not accurate. But they will make the announcement after the completion of a report that will be prepared by the City Treasurer’s Office and submitted on Monday, he said.

Next week they will conduct another random inspection of gasoline stations in Bacolod City, he added.

Sayson said he observed during the inspection yesterday that the calibration of pumping machines of big gasoline stations appear to be more accurate. Perhaps it is because they are trying to maintain a good reputation since they are serving so many clients, he said.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia had tasked Sayson to head the task force that includes representatives from national agencies concerned with consumer welfare, especially the Department of Trade and Industry, Bureau of Fire Protection, Environment and Natural Resources Office, Office of the Building Official, City Engineer’s Office, City Treasurer’s Office, and City Permits and Licensing Office, and the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas led by Buddy Ferrer.

Sayson said they did not include the Department of Energy since the inspection was mandated by the city government, and, they were tasked to regulate different business establishments selling petroleum products, and not by the DOE.*CGS

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