14 gas pumps found defective

CEBU, Philippines —   The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) has conducted an inspection on gasoline stations around the city resulting in the temporary locking of 14 pumps of three gasoline stations due to defected calibrations on Wednesday.

CCPO deputy director for administration, Police Lieutenant Colonel Wilbert Parilla, said in a press conference on Thursday that this was done pursuant to the directive of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.

Two teams were created to inspect gasoline stations within the city to ensure that their pumps are properly calibrated.

“Last Monday, with the directive of the mayor nga mag create og team nga mo-inspection sa mga gasoline station to make it sure that ang tanan mga pumps sa gasoline station is properly calibrated,” said Parilla.

From the two groups formed, one had been assigned to monitor gasoline stations in the southern portion of the city while the other team has been assigned to inspect the ones found in the northern part.

The city's Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification, Enhancement (PROBE) head Racquel Arce, who oversees the inspection, said that there were three gasoline stations found with defected calibration in southern part of the city.

A gas station located along V. Rama Avenue was found with six defected pumps, another gas station located along N. Bacalso Avenue, Barangay Basak Pardo was found with five defected pumps, and a gas station located along E. Sabellano St. in Punta Princesa was found with three defected pumps.

Parilla said that notice to explain to comply with the proper calibration has been served to the gasoline stations.

"Ang kining tanan nga pump nga masuta nga wala mainsakto sa calibration, gi-lock lang usa temporarily para dili magamit. And notice is already served sa mga gasoline stations. Magamit lang ni siya kung ma-calibrate na, makapasar na sa calibration ang ilahang mga pumps," Parilla said

“Labi na karon nga taas ang presyo sa gasolina nga mapatuman gyud ang insakto nga calibration sa tanang litro sa mga gasolina og krudo,” Parilla added.

Parilla stated that if these gasoline stations fail to comply with the right calibration, they will face consequences.

“Kung dili gyud sila maka comply by the next time masuta gihapon nga dili sakto ilang calibration so ang city dunay katungod sa pag stop sa ilang business permit,” Parilla said.

“It’s up to the city unsa ilahang sanction. So far, ang atoa is just for the inspection and for the security of the team nga nag-conduct og inspection sa mga gasoline station,” Parilla added.

In the northern portion of the city, the CCPO is yet to receive results of the inspection of gasoline stations.

“Napa sa north area, so nagpaabot pa sad ta unsay resulta sa atoang inspection,” said Parilla.

On the other hand, Parilla noted that it is necessary for the CCPO to intensify these inspections especially on retailing gasoline because these may also be a cause of fire.

“Karon ang atoa sang personnel sa City Mobile Force Company, atoa nasad sila gi-direct to monitor sa mga retailer nga nagbaligya dinha labi na sa mountain barangay. Amo pod gipahimangno nga dili na mo engage sa pag-retail og gasoline,” added Parilla. — Dominic I. Dilao, Correspondent and Chiel Martina Y. Condor, CNU Intern, GMR (FREEMAN)