Inspections Identify Missing Certificates of Compliance
BACOLOD - The Department of Energy recently inspected 27 randomly selected liquid fuel retail outlets across Bacolod City and found that some establishments did not possess a Certificate of Compliance (COC). The document serves as official proof that a gasoline station is registered and authorized to sell petroleum products. During a coordination meeting on November 12, DOE-Visayas Field Office Oil Industry Management Division chief Jose Rey Maleza presented the inspection findings to City Secretary to the Mayor Jose Marty Go and discussed concerns requiring action from the city government and partner agencies.
Business Permits Must Be Supported by DOE Authorization
The DOE emphasized that a local business permit does not automatically establish compliance with its requirements. The agency is seeking the continued support of the city's Business Permits and Licensing Office to ensure that gasoline stations obtain the necessary COC before a business permit is issued or renewed. This coordination can help establish clearer requirements for fuel retailers and ensure that businesses meet the regulations governing petroleum sales.
Regular Monitoring Supports Consumer Protection
Bacolod has 142 gasoline stations, according to the City Treasurer's Office Revenue Inspection and Miscellaneous Services Section. The office leads the city's monitoring activities, with personnel checking three to four stations every weekday. Maleza also recognized Bacolod as one of the highly urbanized cities in the Visayas that regularly monitors gasoline stations. Continued inspections and cooperation between the DOE and city offices can help strengthen industry compliance and promote safer, more accountable fuel retail operations.
