A Threads user was called out for hoarding gasoline and diesel fuel amid the country’s steep increase in petroleum prices.
The online user shared that she filled her car’s fuel tank to the brim with diesel before some oil companies raised their prices on Tuesday, March 10.
She also posted a photo of plastic containers in her trunk labeled “gas” and “diesel.”
“Okay na ‘to! FULL TANK SAGAAAAAAAAAAADDD! At 3 [three gallons] ng diesel sapilitang for 4 [four] months consumption,” the Threads user wrote on Monday, March 9.
“WORK-BAHAY lang muna, wala muna extra activities! Sulit din paglalakad ko kanina from Putatan-Alabang, makahanap lang ng [gallon] and gas station na pumapayag mag-extra refill. Hakhakhak,” she added, accompanying the posts with loudly crying emojis.
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The post has garnered 1,000 shares, 1,000 comments, 744 likes and 178 reposts on the platform, with Filipinos criticizing the online user for her greedy and unsafe behavior.
“Your diesel will not last specially in those containers, it will be contaminated and will cause harm [to] your engine. You need an HDPE container. Magkaka-moisture ‘yan diyan sa lagayan mo in less than 24 hours,” a Threads user wrote.
An HDPE container is made of High-Density Polyethylene and is commonly used to store industrial chemicals because of its strength and resistance to moisture.
“The supply is already limited and hoarders like you add to the problem. The public transportation system is already affected due to the high prices of fuel, now, adding hoarders to the picture will make it worse,” another wrote.
“Unless you transfer those into petrol-safe containers, those are gonna expire and go stale. I’d rather recommend going to Pricelocq for their virtual gas tank,” a different Threads user commented.
“This is not a flex! You are storing gasoline and diesel in water gallon containers. This is extremely unsafe because these containers are not designed for flammable liquids, and it can easily cause fires, explosions, or serious accidents,” another Pinoy said.
“Under the Fire Code of the Philippines (RA 9514), improper storage of flammable liquids is prohibited and could be considered a violation of the law!!” the online user added.
“The author of this post is blatantly ignorant and stupid, ALSO PASIKAT. May pambili ng fuel pero walang pambili ng proper HDPE container. Pweee… Inuna magpasikat kesa ang utak. The plastic will contaminate her diesel and apparently, will ruin her engine, which will need repair. Plus, this is a fire hazard,” another commented.
“Fire hazard ‘yang paglagay mo ng krudo sa water jug. May chance na sumabog ‘yung jug mo ‘pag exposed pa ‘yan sa mainit dahil magbu-build yan ng pressure sa loob,” a different Pinoy said.
“Hindi ka nakatipid sa ginawa mo. Nilagay mo lang sa peligro ‘yung sarili mo, pati din sasakyan mo. Good luck sa’yo!” another wrote.
The Department of Energy has launched a complaint center where Filipinos can report cases of fuel hoarding and panic buying amid the ongoing oil crisis.
RELATED: DOE launches complaint center: How to report fuel hoarding, unauthorized price hikes
Petroleum products saw a sharp spike in prices per liter on Tuesday due to the conflict in the Middle East, which affects global oil supply.
In the local market, diesel fuel has risen by as much as P24 per liter, gasoline by up to P13 per liter, and kerosene by up to P38 per liter.
The increases are being implemented in increments to help cushion the impact on motorists, with price adjustments taking effect daily starting Tuesday.
The price surge comes as the United States and Israel carry out military attacks against Iran, disrupting key energy routes and facilities. The Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway south of Iran, has been closed due to the conflict; nearly 20 million barrels of oil pass through it daily.
The fighting has also caused damage to oil and gas facilities across the Middle East, disrupting supply flows and further affecting global markets.
