Fuel firm rebrands 5 acquired stations in NegOr

CEBU, Philippines — Publicly-listed Top Line Business Development Corp. is expanding its retail fuel footprint beyond Cebu, completing the renovation and rebranding of five acquired stations in Negros Oriental under its Light Fuels brand.

The stations, grouped under Cluster 2, mark the first branded Light Fuels outlets outside the company’s Cebu home base. TOP expects the five locations to generate about 600,000 liters in combined monthly fuel sales, providing recurring retail revenue while opening additional income streams from commercial leasing spaces at select sites.

The stations are located in key mobility corridors in Dumaguete City’s Lower Camanjac area, Sibulan, Dauin, Valencia and San Jose, positioning the company to tap growing fuel demand as economic activity and mobility expand across Negros Island.

“Bringing our first Light Fuels cluster outside Cebu to Negros Oriental is an important step in our expansion strategy,” Brigitte Carmel L. Lim, TOP senior vice president and chief operating officer, said in a statement.

Lim cited the Negros Island Region’s 5.7 percent economic growth in 2025, which ranked among the fastest in the Philippines, as supporting the company’s expansion outlook.

Beyond fuel retailing, the stations are being positioned as convenience hubs. TOP plans to install fully automated motor-wash systems across the five outlets, with motorcycle cleaning taking about three minutes. Selected locations will also offer commercial spaces for lease, adding non-fuel revenue opportunities.

The expansion is part of TOP’s broader effort to build a larger Light Fuels network across the Visayas, with the company targeting accessibility and additional services alongside fuel sales.

“As we enter new growth areas, our goal is to provide motorists not only with reliable fuel access, but also with convenient services that support their everyday mobility needs,” Lim said.

TOP expects renovations for its next clusters, covering stations in Cebu, Leyte and Siquijor, to be completed by the end of 2026.

The company operates through three subsidiaries: Topline Logistics and Development Corp., which handles the importation, trading, distribution and marketing of petroleum products; Light Fuels Corp., its retail fuel arm; and Singapore-based Topline Energlobal Pte. Ltd., which serves as its fuel trading and sourcing arm.