PETROLEUM dealers in Cagayan de Oro City will be penalized if they proved they did not implement the oil price decreases, that were carried out on Tuesday, nationwide.

“Fines and cancellation of their business or mayor's permits are the penalties for violators,” warned City Councilor George Goking Wednesday.

He said the sanctions are in accordance with a City Ordinance No. 11240-2008 enacted since 2009.

Oil industry players announced the substantial cuts in fuel prices, as they are set to trim gasoline prices by P5.45 per liter, diesel prices by P11.45 per liter, and kerosene prices by P9 per liter, effective March 22.

“They should have implemented to lower their oil prices to consumers in the city,” Goking said, adding after 11 straight weeks of hikes, the Cagay-anons at least may expect a sigh of relief.

Yet according to Goking, there are some oil dealers in the city that failed to implement, despite an early reminder he made.

A domestic oil price advisory was released, including with the Department of Energy (DOE) and the oil industries estimated the rollback and the average was done, according to Goking.

“It will be an unprecedented rollback, so we are hoping that the dealers set an example to the public of how they should obey the rollback,” he said.

Goking clarified that the City Task Force on weights and measure and fuel pump meters strictly enforces the said Ordinance.

The ordinance mandated the local gasoline dealers or refueling stations and Auto LPG stations shall adjust the pump prices of their products at the same time and rate fixed or set by their national or head companies.

“That said provision shall be incorporated as one of the conditions of the business or mayor’s permit of said establishments,” Goking stressed.

He added local gasoline dealers and Auto LPG stations, who repeatedly failed to abide or comply with the said ordinance, to the detriment of the public shall be penalized with the following administrative penalties.

First offense - fine of P5,000.00 per day of violation. A half-day of violation shall be computed as one day.

Second offense - fine of P5,000.00 per day of violation and suspension of the Business/Mayor’s Permit for fifteen (15) days.

Third and subsequent offenses - fine of P5,000.00 per day of violation and cancellation of the Business/Mayor’s Permit.

Meanwhile, Goking said he wanted to amend the oil deregulation law and allow the Department of Energy (DOE) to define the maximum price of oil, among others. (Ben Balce)