ILOILO — Government agencies have stepped in to resolve confusion among fuel retailers after several gasoline stations in Western Visayas reportedly refused to sell fuel to farmers and fisherfolk using containers, disrupting critical agricultural and fishing operations.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) clarified that farmers and fisherfolk are allowed to purchase fuel using containers, drums, or cans, following complaints that some stations had denied such transactions despite their necessity for farm and fishing activities.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) clarified that farmers and fisherfolk in Western Visayas are allowed to purchase fuel using containers, drums, or cans.
On Wednesday, March 18, the DA in Western Visayas posted information on its official Facebook page informing the public that the Department of Energy (DOE) allows the purchase of gasoline or diesel using drums or portable containers for those with legitimate needs, particularly in the agriculture and fisheries sectors.
“Fuel purchases for farmers and fisherfolk are allowed for use in harvesters, tractors, irrigation pumps, motorized pump boats, or motor bancas,” it stated.
Allowed containers that may be brought to gasoline stations include fuel-grade drums, jerry cans, and portable containers.
For such purchases, farmers and fisherfolk are required to present documentary requirements, including:
* A fuel purchase or authorization card issued by the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO)
* A monitoring log indicating weekly fuel purchases and usage
* A valid ID and certification confirming that the buyer is a farmer or fisherfolk issued by the MAO
On March 12, the DOE issued a clarification regarding the purchase of gasoline using fuel-grade drums.
The DOE underscored that the sale of petroleum products in fuel-grade drums or containers remains allowed for legitimate operational use, provided that such purchases are consistent with the customer’s normal operational requirements and comply with applicable safety standards for fuel dispensing.
This policy applies to end-users whose operations depend on such fuel delivery methods, including fishing vessels, marine equipment operators, sea transport services, hospitals using generator sets, local government units, agricultural machinery users, telecommunications facilities, port service transport units, and other businesses with legitimate operational requirements.
The DOE stressed that purchases must be proportionate to a customer’s usual consumption and actual operational needs, warning that transactions exceeding normal buying patterns may be subject to verification to prevent hoarding.
Fuel retailers, meanwhile, were advised to carefully assess transactions, especially when the volume appears inconsistent with the buyer’s declared purpose or consumption pattern.
Suspected violations may be reported through the eGovPH App, Hotline 8888, local government units, or directly to the DOE through its Consumer Welfare and Promotion Office./PN