DOF, BOC, BIR initiate fuel marking program

“Thus, by February 3, 2020, all gasoline, diesel and kerosene are expected to be marked completely,” Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero said in a statement Friday. (Pixabay photo)

MANILA — The government is looking to completely mark all gasoline, diesel and kerosene products in the first quarter of next year.

“Thus, by February 3, 2020, all gasoline, diesel and kerosene are expected to be marked completely,” Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero said in a statement Friday.

Guerrero noted that “the implementation of the Fuel Marking Program is a milestone for the Bureau of Customs as well as the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Department of Finance, as we have painstakingly worked together ensure the success of the Program.”

“With the cooperation and support of partner agencies and stakeholders, we are ready to implement the Fuel Marking program and make it work,” he added.

Initiated by the DOF, BOC and BIR, the measure is in line with Joint Circular No.

001-2019 which took effect after its publication at The Manila Times on July 5, 2019.

“August 2, 2019 marks the implementation of the Fuel Marking Program with the first live marking of petroleum products at Seaoil Bulk Terminal in Mabini, Batangas,” it said.

“Six months from the initial marking, all petroleum products found in the domestic market including those stored in storage tanks, depots and terminal facilities shall be tested for compliance with the Fuel Marking Program,” the BOC added.

Simultaneously, BOC and BIR personnel shall commence Field Testing activities and impose penalties, as necessary, for oil companies proven to have unmarked, adulterated and/or diluted fuel.

To implement the Program, the Bureau of Customs has also issued Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) 43-2019 implementing BOC-DOF-BIR Joint Circular No. 001-2019.

The CMO provides the guidelines for the implementation of the program in relation to the importation of petroleum products subject for marking.

The same took effect on August 9, 2019 upon approval of Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero.

To date, 71, 378, 672 liters of fuel have been marked at Seaoil Mabini Terminal.

Marking activities are also expected to commence by October at the terminals of Pure Petroleum Corp., Phoenix Petroleum Corp., Unioil Petroleum Philippines and the entire network of Chevron Philippines, Inc.