Capitol eyes junking Petron as supplier

CEBU, Philippines - The Capitol is eyeing an independent oil player to supply fuel for its vehicles following reports of lower prices than the major oil players in the country.

The Independent Philippine Petroleum Corporation Association (IPPCA) announced that their oil prices in Cebu are already the same or even lower than other parts of the country.

“I am seriously considering this now. We are getting our fuel from Petron because they have supplied us the pump and tank,” said Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Garcia learned from the Capitol General Services Office that there was an occasion they had to call Petron because the price given to them was higher than the pump price.

“Ang presyo nga gihatag nato sa gasoline mas taas naman hinoon kaysa pump price when we should be enjoying an industrial rate kay bulk ang ato palit,” Garcia said.

Garcia said she will now consider accepting proposals for those who may be interested to put up a pump and tank in the Capitol premises so that they will have the freedom of choice.

“Ganahan mi magkom-petensiya sila para kita maoy mabulahan, makakuha ta sa pinaka maayo nga presyo,” she said.

Garcia earlier complained before the Department of Justice against the big three oil companies in the country because of higher prices of petroleum products in Cebu compared to Manila and Mindanao. Garcia found that oil prices in Cebu are higher by P3 to P5 per liter.

With the “welcome piece of news” brought by IPPCA, Garcia said she leaves it to DOJ to decide upon her complaint.

Fernando Martinez, chairman and chief executive officer of Eastern Petroleum Group and the concurrent chairman of the IPPCA, congratulated Garcia for openly complaining against the huge disparity of oil prices in Cebu.

Martinez said that the entry of new players has brought down the prices of diesel in Cebu to the same level, if not lower by as much as 50 centavos, and almost the same in gasoline.

Garcia welcomed the news and said the Cebuano businessmen will be glad about it.

“I believe especially our business sector will be very, very happy with this including the riding public, including all of us motorists who have to load up on our vehicles,” she said.

Garcia said she now sees the benefits of having the fuel providers other than the three big companies.

“Whereas if you have these independent players coming in and they are now proving to be really quite competitive in an atmosphere where there is competition, it is the consumer that benefits,” Garcia said. (FREEMAN)