TAGUIG CITY - The Department of Energy (DOE) confirms the availability of sufficient petroleum products' supply in areas hit by Super Typhoon (ST) Rolly, following earlier reports of supply disruptions, particularly in the island province of Catanduanes.
According to Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi, the DOE had been in constant communication with all downstream oil industry players ahead of ST Rolly's landfall, to ensure that they adhered to the prescribed Minimum Inventory Requirements, as part of the energy family's disaster preparedness measures.
Under Department Circular DC2003-01-001, "All Oil Companies, except Refiners operating in the country, and Bulk Suppliers shall maintain a minimum inventory equivalent to fifteen (15) Days Supply of Petroleum Products, excluding LPG, which shall have to be maintained at seven (7) Days Supply".
"When we received reports alleging that there was no fuel in Catanduanes, the DOE immediately sought to verify the situation on the ground. We take all such reports very seriously, especially since the entire energy family has been working round-the-clock to ensure the delivery of energy goods and services before, during, and after calamities," Secretary Cusi added.
The daily monitoring reports submitted by downstream oil facilities in Catanduanes to the DOE-led Task Force on Energy Resiliency confirm that all liquid fuel retail outlets (LFROs) in Virac are operational.
It has also been noted that Powerzone, the lone depot in the province, temporarily stopped operations Tuesday morning (3 November) for damage assessment, but resumed its operations that same evening.
Meanwhile, Philippine Information Agency's Catanduanes Information Center informed the DOE-Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) that there had been no reports of petroleum supply problems in Catanduanes. They further clarified that the manual dispensing of petroleum products following power interruptions caused the long queues in gas stations.
The DOE-OIMB has likewise verified that LFROs in Catanduanes have an average supply good for one week, with players operating in the province also affirming healthy inventories, receipt of fresh deliveries, and continued site operations.
While impassable roads have led to some replenishment problems for LFROs in Caramoran, Viga, Baras, and Pandan, deliveries are expected to normalize early next week upon the completion of road clearing operations. Furthermore, the Department has already alerted Bicol's Port Manager on the prioritization of oil shipments should the need arise.
The DOE continues to assure the public of the energy family's unwavering efforts to immediately restore energy services in parts of the country that have been ravaged both by Typhoon Quinta and ST Rolly.
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