Oil smuggling is expected to decline after the government signed the contract with the joint venture of SGS Philippines Inc. and Switzerland-based SICPA SA for the rollout of the fuel marking program beginning 2019.

The Department of Budget and Management’s Procurement Service (DBM-PS) has issued the notice to proceed to the two firms, allowing them to start the establishment and operation of a fuel marking and field testing system for the Bureau of Customs (BOC) starting last Oct. 30.

Fuel marking will cost P0.06884 a liter, DBM-PS executive director Bingle B. Gutierrez said. It was the proposed contract price of SGS and SICPA, the lone bidder.

As …

Keep on reading: Fuel marking seen to curb smuggling starting 2019