DAVAO CITY— Listed Phoenix Petroleum Philippines was named one of top oil importers in the country, as applications for new dealership swarmed the Davao City-based oil independent oil firm.

The Bureau of Customs listed Phoenix Petroleum in the seventh spot of the country’s top importers for 2011, after paying a total of P3.69 billion in taxes to the government.

The top three importers were oil giants Petron, Shell and Chevron, respectively. Total Philippines was at sixth spot, only narrowly edging Phoenix with total tax payments of P3.96 billion.

Phoenix Petroleum, however, was the top importer nationwide in the independents category. Seaoil and Unioil were at the 14th and 15th spots, respectively.

Customs Commissioner Rozanno Rufino B. Biazon presented the plaque to Phoenix and the other top importers.

Phoenix Petroleum has already 225 retail stations, 50 of which are in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon, as the company said it remains on track to become the largest independent oil player in the country.

Edgar Alerta, Phoenix assistant vice president for sales in Mindanao and the Visayas, said applications came in increasing number indicating Phoenix’s popularity as a franchise product. Last year, the company approved 59 applications for retail stations and as early as the first two months of this year, it has received about 100 applications.

Ben Sur, corporate affairs manager for Mindanao and the Visayas, said the bulk of Phoenix Petroleum distribution went to commercial clients such as mining companies, banana plantations and including sole dealership of aviation fuel with Cebu Pacific.

The company owns nine oil depots spread across the country.