Community monitor on gas, diesel prices
It has become customary to check on announcements every Monday on fuel price adjustments that usually take effect on a Tuesday. By Monday afternoon, media reports start coming out on the scheduled price adjustment to take effect at 6 a.m. the next day, Tuesday. If fuel costs will increase, some drivers make it a point to gas up that night. If they are set to decrease, they wait the next day to go to the gasoline station.
Most vehicle owners have resigned themselves to the futility of questioning the increases since oil prices are dictated by forces reportedly beyond the control of the Philippine government. The Department of Energy’s usual reply to challenges to prices imposed by the oil industry is that these rate adjustments were “reasonable” in the light of movements in oil prices from main sources abroad.
Drivers and commuters look forward to price decreases, and search for the gasoline station that offers the best price when fuel costs increase. Those who find a gasoline station with the cheapest prices share their discovery with others on social media. Informal monitors have cropped on Facebook where netizens post and share what they know of fuel price increases and where to get the best buy. They also report gasoline stations that implement the adjustment prematurely or before 6 a.m. Tuesday.
The Philippine Gas Price Watch on Facebook posted the price increases to take effect this 6 a.m. Tuesday, May 30. Gasoline prices will go up by 40 to 50 centavos and diesel prices by 60 to 70 centavos per liter. Previous posts showed how fuel prices increased last May 16 and again on May 23. Before that, prices went down on April 25, May 2, and then on May 9. The up or down movement of fuel rates get reported in this informal monitor.
In another account, by the Cebu Road Heroes group also on Facebook, motorists reported on which gasoline station sells cheaper than the others. Other groups on social media offer the same information service as it is a shared interest to know where to find the cheapest fuel.
There are websites and mobile applications that give this information on prices in gasoline stations in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. This fuel price comparison service is managed by private groups that charge fees for searches beyond the number allowed on free accounts.
Many times, fuel prices appeared to be managed by the industry and their pricing cartelized. Then, there were instances when competition set in and gasoline stations competed for customers by offering lower rates or discounts.
This competition should be encouraged, and a community monitor on gasoline, diesel and kerosene prices could even boost the rivalry to the benefit of consumers.
The Sumbongero group on Facebook managed by the SunStar website (www.sunstar.com.ph) welcomes posts on fuel prices. When you gas up, take a photo or write down the fuel prices and note the date, time, gasoline station name and location. Post to www.facebook.com/groups/sumbongero.