MAGALONG CALLS OUT FUEL COSTS HUGE GAP IN BAGUIO

December 2, 2023 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong again raised extreme concern over the wide gap in the prices of fuel in Baguio City compared to nearby areas in the North. “There is again a high difference between the costs of fuel in the city and nearby provinces. In some petroleum products, the price difference average reaches P10,” Magalong said, further bemoaning, “Let me reiterate,
what gives?”

The mayor said he had raised the issue twice — first in 2019 and again in April this year. Last April, he wrote to the industry leader and the Energy Regulatory Board to escalate the concern. In October, 2019, the mayor sought an audience with the executives of the three big industry players and aired the city’s appeal to reduce permanently the price differences.

Petron Corporation through Assistant Vice President for Corporate Affairs Charmaine Canillas granted the appeal and reduced the cost in the city by P3. While Baguio City representative Marquez Go said he will initiate at the Lower House an inquiry why there is such a huge gap of the fuel prices even if areas seemed contiguous like Rosario in La Union and Baguio City, a mere 40 kilometers difference or so. “If representatives of the fuel industry could not make a good explanation, I will ask Congress to summon the Presidents of these firms to explain to the Filipino people,” he promised.

Artemio A. Dumlao/ABN