THE Energy department and motorcycle ride-hailing operator Angkas forged a deal on Tuesday for the real-time monitoring of pump prices in fuel stations based in the National Capital Region.
Department of Energy (DoE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi and Angkas co-founder George I. Royeca formalized the agreement through a virtual memorandum signing event.
The public-private partnership, which will run from Aug. 2 to Nov. 15, aims to keep the public updated with the real-time pump prices of gas, diesel and kerosene from liquid fuel retail outlets.
Pump price data, which will be collected by Angkas riders from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday noon, will be posted immediately in the DoE’s website, said Rodela I. Romero, the assistant director of the DoE Oil Industry Management Bureau, who was present at the virtual signing.
The initiative seeks to help motorists identify gas stations with the best prices and services, according to the DoE.
Angkas riders will also be evaluating the condition of gas stations, the cleanliness of their facilities, and the quality of service provided by the pump attendants. Deserving fuel retail outlets will receive a seal of excellence from the department by the end of the year.
“The agreement is pursuant to the mandate of the DoE to ensure a responsive retail market under a regime of fair prices and quality service to the public,” the Energy department said in a statement issued on Viber.
During the virtual signing, Mr. Cusi said that the collaboration seeks to establish the reporting of domestic fuel prices as “a basis for policy formulation.”
“In addition, this project also recognizes the exemplary performance of deserving liquid fuel retail outlets through the awarding of seals of excellence. It is our hope that this would further motivate our gasoline stations to keep striving for excellence at all times,” he said.
Meanwhile, Angkas’ Mr. Royeca said that riders will be the “eyes and ears” of the DoE in the monitoring of fuel prices.
“With this collaboration, we hope to be a step closer towards a safer, more inclusive and more efficient transport industry for the Filipino people,” he said. — Angelica Y. Yang
