Ecija town blasts higher pump prices compared to nearby areas
GUIMBA, Nueva Ecija – The municipal government has released an open statement through social media asking local petroleum industry players such as gas refilling stations operating in the town to explain the exorbitant prices of their petroleum products compared to their counterparts in adjacent areas.
“Lahat po sa Guimba ay apektado ng mataas na presyo ng gasoline at krudo. Ang mga sasakyan ng LGU lalo na ang mga ambulansiya ay dito kinakargahan at malaking bagay sana na matapyasan ang presyo upang madami kaming mabili at mas marami pa ang maserbisyuhan ng ating mga sasakyan,” said the municipal government on its Facebook post.
Mayor Jose Dizon met with Vice Mayor Jesulito Galapon to thresh out the problem and the two town officials agreed to summon all the owners of refilling stations to a meeting so that they will be able to explain how they arrived at the respective pump prices of their petroleum products.
It was learned that the Sangguniang Bayan headed by Vice Mayor Galapon has invited in aid of legislation the owners, managers, or authorized representatives of these refilling stations to attend the council’s regular session on August 9 for the purpose.
In calling for a hearing with the local petroleum industry players, councilor-lawyer Virgilio Fabros, chair of the SB’s Committee on Human Rights, said the town council is merely performing its oversight functions in aid of legislation.
In their FB post, the Guimba local government said that local gas station managers from Petron, Sea-Oil, Total, PTT, and GT Oil have different explanations why their pump prices are higher by P7 to P8 than those in adjacent areas.
“Matagal nang inirereklamo ng mga magsasaka at transport sectors sa Guimba ang nagpapatuloy na pagsirit ng presyo ng produktong petrolyo sa merkado na anila ay dagdag na pahirap sa kanila ang karagdagan pang P7-P8 taas sa gasolina per litro at P4 sa krudo per litro sa bayan ng Guimba,” its post added.
This scenario developed as fuel prices nationwide went up again on August 3.
The price of gasoline increased by P1.05 per liter, with kerosene at P0.75 per liter, and diesel at P0.80 per liter.
