The Provincial Board (PB) is calling for the creation of an advisory council that would address issues on Bohol’s petroleum products, particularly their higher prices compared to those of neighbor provinces.
PB members passed a resolution urging the Capitol to form the said council which would be similar to the Bohol Energy Development Advisory Group (BDEAG) which tackles power issues in Bohol.
The resolution was passed during the PB’s regular session on Friday last week.
Board Member Tomas Abapo Jr., chair of the PB’s committee on rules, who suggested the measure said that the council’s mandate would be to focus on lowering fuel prices in the province.
The council would be named Bohol Petrolac or Petroleum Advsiory Council, Abapo suggested.
Previously, Atty. Rino Abad of the Department of Energy’s (DOT) Oil Industry Management Bureau ascribed Bohol’s high fuel prices to insufficient supply which is unable to meet the province’s large demand.
For his part, DOE senior research specialist and supervisor Rey Maleza reported to the PB that the province is need of more import terminal and oil depot.
This will create competition and eventually lead to lower fuel prices, he said noting that the cities of Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Dumaguete have the same scenario where there is competition. (Rey Tutas)