MANILA, Philippines – Petron Corp. chairman Ramon Ang said the government should strengthen efforts to curb oil smuggling, claiming oil smugglers are now controlling 30 to 35 percent of the petroleum industry.
“We have a basis for these figures. It was a result from a study conducted on oil smuggling. The study showed that 30 to 35 percent of the industry today is coming from oil smuggling. This accounts for P30 billion to P35 billion foregone revenues for the government. These are taxes not being paid to the government,” he said, but did not mention the name of the institution that conducted the study.
“Given this situation, efforts should be intensified in going after these smugglers. But the question is…can we (the country) do it? Are we equipped to curb smuggling?” he added.
Ang said the Oil Deregulation Law of 1998, which transferred oil price control from the government to oil firms, opened “floodgates for oil smugglers.”
He said the government should go after the “big fish” to stop oil smuggling.
“It will be very hard to regulate and control these illegal activities. Their operations are everywhere. Up to now, they haven’t caught big oil smugglers. They are catching the small time violators, like the drivers and tricycle boys,” he added.
When asked if Petron’s operation is affected by smuggling, Ang said they would continue to operate based on market forces.
“We will play the game in town,” he said. –Donnabelle Gatdula (The Philippine Star)
June 2025
Philippine Environment Month!
“Action for Nature, for the Future!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations
against serious violations of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideosturesVideos
Monthly Observances:
1 Jun – World Day of Parents
5 Jun – World Environment Day
7 Jun – World Food Safety Day
8 Jun – World Oceans Day
12 Jun – World Day Against Child Labour
15 Jun – World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
16 Jun – International Day of Family Remittances
17 Jun – World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
20 Jun – World Refugee Day
25 Jun – Day of the Seafarer
27 Jun – Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day
Daily Observances:
June 6: Migrant Workers Day
June 19: Filipino Youth Day
June 25: Day of the Filipino Seafarer
