RETAILERS who sell fuel oil and other oils in recycled bottles have been warned by the Department of Energy (DOE) to stop their business because of the risks they posed to the economy, people’s health and safety.

Zenaida Y. Monsada, director for DOE-Oil Industry Management Bureau, said the department has issued a circular prohibiting the practice.

Monsada said the unregulated nature of the “bote-bote” retail poses health and fire hazards to the retailers themselves.

Speaking during the Multi-Sectoral Advocacy on the Downstream Oil Industry forum held at the Star Plaza Hotel in Dagupan last Wednesday, Monsada also pointed out that the unlicensed roadside retailers are posing undue competition to legitimate gasoline stations that pay permits and taxes to the government.

“Customers do not reach the gasoline stations anymore,” she said, citing that several gasoline stations in Tarlac have been forced to close down because of the competition from the bote-bote sellers.

The forum, hosted by the DOE in coordination with the Philippine Information Agency, was attended by local government units, oil industry stockholders and media practitioners from Pangasinan and La Union. (PIA-Pangasinan/ARF)

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