Bacolod: The city government has issued a reminder to residents to utilize petroleum-grade containers when purchasing fuel at gas stations to adhere to safety measures as outlined by the Department of Energy (DOE).

According to Philippines News Agency, the advisory emphasizes the importance of using appropriate containers because gasoline and other petroleum products are flammable and pose risks if stored in inadequate vessels such as ordinary plastic or thin bottles. The city government highlighted that these containers should be sturdy, clean, leak-free, and capable of being sealed properly to prevent any hazards.

The DOE guidelines stipulate that buying fuel with portable containers is permissible only for legitimate operational purposes. These include activities related to fisheries, marine equipment, sea transport operations, generator sets for essential services like hospitals and telecommunication facilities, as well as agricultural machinery and equipment. Similarly, telecommunication towers, government offices, and local government units engaged in rescue and disaster response operations must adhere to these guidelines.

For private businesses, a valid purchase order or proof of operational need must be presented when purchasing fuel in portable containers. During potential supply shortages, fuel stations might impose temporary purchase limits per vehicle to avoid panic buying and hoarding, ensuring fair distribution of the available supply.

Priority in such situations will be given to emergency response units, hospitals, medical facilities, government services, public transportation, and critical infrastructure, as per the city advisory.