KORONADAL CITY (MindaNews/15 July) — The city government has launched a massive crackdown against illegal petroleum dealers and retailers that have mushroomed in various parts of the city in the past several months.
City Mayor Peter Miguel said Tuesday the campaign is mainly in compliance with the Department of Energy’s policy that prohibits the “unauthorized and unsafe selling” of fuel and other related products.
He specifically cited the rampant street selling of gasoline and other fuel products within the city’s 27 barangays.
Miguel noted that selling petrol along roadside constitutes environmental nuisance and threat to lives and properties.
He said these activities should be stopped as they could cause or result to possible major accidents.
“They’re illegal and unsafe so it’s only proper to stop and remove them from our streets,” the mayor said.
Miguel said he earlier issued an executive order setting the campaign and the creation of a special task force that will spearhead the crackdown.
The task force is headed by the mayor and with Bureau of Fire Protection personnel in the city as its enforcement arm.
He said they created the task force to ensure that the campaign will be properly implemented and sustained.
It is also in line with a local regulation that sets the apprehension of ambulant vendors selling petroleum products pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act 9514 or the Fire Code of the Philippines.
Meantime, Senior Insp. Milo Manlabao, city fire marshal, said they recovered around 24 liters of gasoline during their initial operations on Monday against illegal fuel retailers in the area.
He said they brought the confiscated products to the city government’s motor pool, which they designated as temporary storage area.
The official said they consider the motor pool as the safest storage area for the confiscated fuel products since it is well-guarded and far from residential and commercial areas.
He cited that the facility is around 600 meters away from the city hall building and other structures. (MindaNews)