MOTORISTS residing in Cebu City can soon avail themselves of discounts of at least P2 per liter on all fuel products of the First Energy gas stations in Cebu.This after the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCDRRMC), in partnership with the Department of Energy (DOE) and Phoenix fuel company, launched the “Gasolina Mo, Sagot Ko project” on Wednesday, April 6, 2022.Ronald Reyes, president of First Energy, a franchisee of Phoenix, said the discounted rates will depend on the weekly prices of oil products coming from their suppliers.Reyes said they will give weekly announcements on the rates.He said the fuel discounts are expected to start next week and will initially run for two months since they could not yet determine the fuel price adjustments in the coming days.Lawyer Gerardo Carillo, chairman of the CCDRRMC, said they will print about 50,000 to 100,000 discount cards for interested applicants.Each pocket-sized discount card is good for one driver and one vehicle, and a maximum of 20 liters can be purchased per day.Reyes said they can consume it in one-time gas up or divide it depending on the maximum capacity of the vehicle.22 stationsReyes said they have 22 participating Phoenix gasoline stations in Cebu, which will also give discounts for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).In Cebu City, the gas stations are located on V. Rama Ave.; Mambaling 1, which is on the same side as Petron and Shell near SM Seaside; Mambaling 2 in front of Mambaling 1; Banilad near Cebu Country Club; Bacayan and Talamban; M.J. Cuenco Ave., B. Rodriguez St.; and Labangon-Katipunan area.In Lapu-Lapu City, the gas stations are in Barangays Soong, Subabasbas, Pusok, Gun-ob, Buaya, Canjulao and Pajac.They can also get discounts at the gas stations in Barangay Gabi in the town of Cordova; Barangay Lagtang in Talisay City; as well as in stations in Mandaue City, including in Wireless, Barangay Subangdaku; M.C. Briones St., Maguikay; Plaridel St.; and Barangay Canduman. In Consolacion town, discounts are available at the gas stations in Barangays Cansaga and Tayud.Reyes said there will be a big impact on their financials since they get their oil products from suppliers through cash.“But what we are looking at right now is the bigger picture, how we can continue to do business because if no one will gas up, then we stop doing business,” he said, adding that they are still hoping that everything will return to normal soon.Carillo emphasized that for now, discount cards will be limited to Cebu City residents but that they will give leeway to non-city residents including taxi drivers.“As long as they are serving the residents of the city of Cebu, I think we will give them the leeway as long as they can avail of this program,” he said.ApplicationTo get the discount cards, motorists must apply either online (through the Sugbo Bike Lanes Board Facebook page) or physically through any of the 80 barangays, Kalamboan sa Pamilyang Sugbuanon and Mayor’s Information and Liaison Office. Applicants must submit a photocopy of their driver’s license.Only one discount card will be given to each applicant regardless of how many vehicles he or she owns.Each discount card will bear the name of the applicant/driver and the plate number of the vehicle.Carillo said this is primarily to address the series of hikes in prices of fuel products in the city and in the country.Fuel prices in the country have increased 12 times this year, aggravated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last Feb. 24.Through this project, consumers, particularly the public sector, such as public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers, including of taxis, jeepneys and motorcycle-for-hire, among others, can avail of lower fuel prices.Carillo said drivers of buses and even of vehicles used for delivery of goods and business can also avail themselves of the program.Carillo said First Energy was the first oil firm to respond to the call of the DOE to give discounts to motorists.Carillo said the Cebu City Government would not spend for the project, as it merely talked to and encouraged all fuel suppliers to reduce their prices and give discounts to the public sector, specially those using it for public service.“This is not politically motivated; this is open for all,” he added, saying that motorists can avail themselves of the discount cards regardless of their political affiliation.Competitive pricingHe said other oil firms have expressed their intention to participate in the program.DOE Visayas Field Director Russmark Gamallo said the project will give competitive pricing for fuel.“At least for now, consumers can see that they have power of choice, that they can avail of fuel at a (lower) price compared to the normal suggested retail prices of oil companies,” said Gamallo.Gamallo expressed hope that other local government units will look for initiatives to reduce the impact of high fuel prices.