COTABATO CITY — The Energy Management and Development Services (EMDS) of BARMM-MENRE continues intensifying the monitoring and regulation of Liquid Fuel Retail Outlets (LFROs) and Technology Solution Retail Outlets (TSROs) through its spot-checking activity of LFROs and TSROs in the City of Cotabato and the Province of Maguindanao last 16-20 January 2023.

The spot-checking activity aims to ensure that calibration of dispensing pumps is within the prescribed limit and protect the general consuming public against possible underdelivering of liquid fuel. This activity will continue to cover all the LFROs and TSROs in the BARMM.

EMDS’ regulation of the downstream oil industries follows MENRE Memorandum Circular No. 02 Series of 2021 entitled “Adoption of the Department of Energy Department Circular No. 2017-11-0011 also known as Revised Retail Rules”. Pursuant to Section 25, “Test Measure Requirement in All Retail Outlets”, the MENRE shall inspect and verify the dispensing pump using a valid Test Measure to check for possible underdelivering. All LFROs with fuel dispensers found to be underdelivering beyond the tolerable limit shall be issued with a Show Cause Order and immediately endorsed/referred to the authorized calibrating entities for proper recalibration and resealing thereof.

Further, Section 23, “Calibration and Sealing of Dispensing Pumps”, of the said Circular stated that “to ensure that the facilities and equipment used in the operation of Retail Outlets remain accurate, calibration shall be mandatory”. Likewise, all dispensing pumps used in retail outlets to dispense liquid fuels sold to the public must be properly calibrated once every ninety (90) days, and after calibration, to be immediately sealed by an authorized entity.

Failure to maintain a calibrated and sealed dispensing and/or a dispensing pump with a broken or no seal will result in revocation of COC and recommend revocation or suspension of the permits or license to LGU with corresponding fines amounting to 10,000 as provided in the same Circular, Section 29, “Fines/Sanctions Against Prohibited Acts”.

The EMDS-MENRE commits to improve the quality of energy-related services and rendering efficient with utmost integrity and professionalism in the service for Bangsamoro people.