Flying V and Chevron stations shuts down

QC shuts down 2 oil stations

By CHITO A. CHAVEZ, Manila Bulletin

April 28, 2011, 4:30pm

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government ordered the closure of two gas stations for their failure to secure a permit from the city hall for its pumps and lack of business permit to operate.

City Administrator Vic Endriga said Flying V gas station along Mindanao Avenue and Caltex Station located at Greater Lagro were found to be short selling their customers due to their defective fuel pumps.

Unlike other cities which conduct yearly random inspections of gas stations, the Quezon City government conducts its own scrutiny every quarter in a bid to punish erring gas station owners.

“In the midst of unstoppable increasing trend of fuel prices in the market, the city government remains committed in ensuring that fuel consumers buying in fuel stations in Quezon City are safe and protected against defective fuel pumps causing short selling,’’ Endriga said.

Reports disclosed that Caltex station in Barangay Greater Lagro were found to have 24 defective fuel pumps while two others were found to be tampered causing the short selling of fuel to its customers.

The Flying V station in Mindanao Avenue was found to have 12 defective fuel pumps.

Article 20 section 64-E of the Quezon City Revenue Code states that it is unlawful for a retail outlet to engage in the under delivery or short selling of gas and illegal trading in the city.

The same provision also states that illegal trading is deemed committed when a retail outlet failed to have its dispensing pumps calibrated and have dispensed less than the tolerated minimum quantity of minus 50 milliliters for every ten liters.

“These defective pumps could be calibrated by our city personnel but doing business without business permit from the city government triggered the city mayor to issue immediate closure order because it is a blatant violation of existing laws and ordinances,” Endriga said.

Endriga said that operating fuel station business without a business permit is tantamount to tax evasion because the government could not collect tax and other regulatory fees due to city.