83 gas stations in Leyte, Samar resume operations

MANILA, Philippines - At least 83 out of 128 gasoline stations that Petron Corp., Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. and Caltex are operating in Leyte and Samar have resumed operations, the  Department of Energy (DOE) said yesterday.

Some stations are still undergoing repair and rehabilitation from the  damage of Typhoon Yolanda.

Zenaida Monsada, DOE Oil Industry Management Bureau director, said the actual number of gasoline stations that have resumed operations could be higher because the tally does not include the stations run by independent oil players.

Of the 83 stations, Petron owns 60, Shell 19,  and Caltex four.

Monsada said fuel supply remains tight, but this is expected to stabilize in the coming weeks or way before Christmas.

Monsada said Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla has asked oil companies to provide regular reports to enable the energy department to closely monitor the fuel situation.

“We’re asking them for inventory reports so we can monitor the situation closely,” she said.

Under a memorandum of Petilla, oil companies must limit sales to individuals to a maximum of P500 per vehicle per transaction, and that customers need to fall in line again if they want to buy more fuel.

Petilla also asked oil companies not to sell gasoline to those bringing containers or the bote-bote retail system.

He also asked oil firms to prioritize the fuel requirements of relief agencies, medical facilities, communications services and food transportation services.

Meanwhile, oil companies and energy agencies said yesterday   they have initiated their relief operations and fund-raising activities.

Petron Corp. said that through Petron Foundation it has distributed over 13,000 relief packs in the aftermath of Yolanda.

The relief drive has benefited 52,000 individuals from the hardest hit areas, Petron added.

Petron said the initial roll-out of relief goods went to Tacloban and Ormoc cities in Leyte, Roxas City in Capiz, Bantayan in Cebu, the municipalities of Roxas, Mansalay, Bulalacao, and Bongabong in Oriental Mindoro, and the province of Iloilo.

Relief operations are also underway for Coron, Palawan and other severely affected areas in the Visayas and Luzon.

The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) said its shareholder and technical partner, State Grid Corp. of China, has pledged to donate $100,000 to survivors of Yolanda.