The Department of Energy (DOE) has committed to assist the local government to process the regulatory compliance papers of gasoline and LPG players which do not have valid certificates of compliance (COC), a DOE requirement for businesses retailing liquid fuels.
In a meeting with the local government as part of the series of talks initiated at the request of Mayor Beng Climaco to address high gasoline prices in Zamboanga City, the DOE said it will deploy teams to specifically look into the processing and validating of COC applications and renewals via its DOE on wheels initiative and the LGU’s Business One Stop Shop (BOSS) come business renewal period in January.
“We started already coordinating with various LGU offices, specifically the BPLO (Business Permit and Licensing Office), requesting them the active list of gasoline stations including the LPG establishments that are active and operating,” said Director Nilo Geroche of the DOE-Mindanao Field Office.
More or less 80 gasoline stations are operating all over the city but DOE records show there only 56, an issue that is being looked into by Director Geroche to ensure that all retailers are with DOE certificates of compliance.
A COC is a document given by the DOE after retailers have submitted requirements such as business permits, compliance to fire, safety, and environmental standards, and facility design, among others.
Aside from the ongoing talks with DOE, the local government has also coordinated with the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) to delve deeper into the pricing and market competition of local gasoline players.
Initial reports, data, and photos have been sent to facilitate the PCC’s possible interventions on fuel prices.
Following directives from Mayor Beng, the local government and DOE has engaged in a series of meetings with different sectors, including the business sector and local industry players, to discuss ways to bring down fuel pump prices. (Jasmine Mohammadsali)
(Source: City Government of Zamboanga Facebook page)
