The task force created by Mayor Evelio Leonardia to inspect the accuracy of the calibration of pumping machines of gasoline stations in Bacolod City is planning to post “out of order” stickers on fuel pumps found to have under-delivered, Acting Bacolod Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson said yesterday.

Sayson said the problem of the task force is that they are not authorized to padlock the fuel pump of the gasoline station that are not properly calibrated.

They consulted the City Legal Office on the matter yesterday, he said.

Sayson said that when a gasoline station is found to have a pump that is not properly calibrated, they have to go through the process of sending a notice of violation and giving the owners 72 hours to answer.

So, while they are required to correct the violation, they continue to sell fuel, he said, and that is the predicament of the task force.

Sayson said they have come up with the idea of posting stickers on fuel pumps found not properly calibrated, but still have to clear the matter with the City Treasurer’s Office.

“We will come up with ‘out of order’ stickers, until we can pass an ordinance for addressing the problem,” he said.

Sayson also said that in fairness to the gasoline stations, not all their pumps are not properly calibrated.

During their inspections, they usually find only one pump that has under-delivered, he said. It is only such pump that will be sanctioned, he said.

Sayson said these are only proposals and they are subject to the approval of the concerned department heads in the city.

They will submit the proposal to the City Treasurer, he said.*CGS

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