Philippine Daily Inquirer: 44 gas stations found duping buyers (ShellNews.net)
Tina Santos
Aug 31, 2004
AS IF the rising gasoline and diesel prices were not enough burden to the public, several oil stations were found to have been deceiving their customers.
In Quezon City, an inspection conducted by the City Treasurer's Office showed that at least 44 of the 119 gasoline stations belonging to at least 10 establishments, were shortselling their clients, according to city treasurer Victor Endriga.
Those gasoline stations found shortselling were Shell stations in Barangays Pag-asa, Central, Do¤a Josefa, Veterans, Maharlika, Sto. Domingo, Bahay Toro, St. Ignatius, Balintawak, Vasra and Regalado Street;
Caltex stations in Barangays Pinyahan, Sacred Heart, Bangao, Balintawak, Bahay Toro, Masambong, Tatalon, Talayan, Kristong Hari, Immaculate Conception and Apo Street;
SeaOil gas stations in Barangay Bahay Toro, Do¤a Josefa, Tuazon, Salvacion, South Triangle, Culiat, Gulod, North Fairview, Kaligayahan and Alcaraz Street;
Petron gas stations in Barangays Malaya, Laging Handa, Kristong Hari, Diliman and Talipapa.
Also found duping the public were Total gas station in Green Valley; Jetti Gas; Uni-oil in Barangay Lourdes; Flying V in Brixton Hills; Citioil in West Edsa and Metro Oil Subic in Barangay Mariana.
Endriga said that due to the non-stop increase in oil prices, they were prompted to form a raiding team that would particularly oversee the operation of gasoline stations in the city.
Based on his assessment, the total penalties and surcharges incurred by the 44 gas stations for the months of July and August had reached P323,311.50.
Through the use of a calibrating bucket, the gasoline stations were found to be deducting more than the "tolerable" 10 milliliters for every 10 liter bucket of the oil products.
But he was quick to add that they immediately made corrections in the gasoline pumps of the establishments that were found to be shortchanging consumers.
As a first offense, gas station owners were ordered to pay P400 each as fine.
For second offense, violators will be fined P800, while third-time violators will face closure of the establishment.
Endriga noted that article 234 of the Local Government Code mandates his office to perform such function (inspection of gas stations).