DOF extends test period for use of chemical marker

The Philippines’ Department of Finance has set in place a pilot test project mandating the use of a liquid chemical for marking imported kerosene and oil products. The marker will be used for products that enter the country duty-free. The pilot test began at the Ports of Subic and Clark in December 2008 and January 29, 2009, respectively. It was supposed to end on February 21, but was extended to May 31 and has now been further extended to December 31, 2009 to enable researchers to gather more data on the reportedly rampant smuggling of fuel into the country. For the test project, oil companies tapped the services of Switzerland-based Societe Generale de Surveillance SA (SGS) that specializes in pre-shipment inspection. Data from the DOF showed that during the initial pilot-testing period from January to February, SGS has marked imported fuel amounting to 31.8 million liters. At least 171 tests have been conducted on fuel covertly sampled from gasoline stations. Finance officials said that during the initial pilot testing, there have already been three positive results that indicated the presence of tax-exempt fuel in gasoline stations not authorized to possess it. (June 8, 2009)