Mabalacat City Mayor Gerald Guttrie ‘Geld’ Aquino has ordered the strict monitoring of gasoline stations in the city to prevent overpricing and hoarding amid rising global oil prices linked to tensions in the Middle East.

Under Aquino’s directive, the Business Processing and Licensing Unit of Mabalacat City (BPLU) has been conducting inspections and monitoring activities in local gas stations to ensure compliance with the proper pricing of petroleum products.

BPLU head Raisin Mendoza said the office has been carrying out regular inspections to ensure that fuel retailers follow prescribed prices and that no establishments are taking advantage of the situation.

The mayor also ordered inspections to ensure that no gas stations are hoarding or stockpiling petroleum products for later sale at higher prices.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police in Mabalacat City, led by Efren David Jr., began extensive inspection and monitoring operations on March 8 in response to the mayor’s directive.

Aquino said the initiative aims to protect Mabalaqueños from possible price manipulation as petroleum prices continue to rise in the global market.