Bicol fuel supply remains stable

By Benilda Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, Sorsogon --- Energy and transportation officials have stepped in to assure the public that there is no fuel shortage in the Bicol region, despite long lines forming at gas stations in Albay and Sorsogon following the impact of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine last week.

During a live-streamed press briefing on Tuesday, Energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella reported that fuel tankers loaded with gasoline, diesel, and liquefied petroleum gas have arrived in both the Bicol mainland and the island-province of Masbate.

The deliveries had been stranded on the road for nearly three days due to impassable areas going to Albay and Sorsogon, according to the DOE’s Task Force on Energy Resiliency.

Vincent Nato, the Land Transportation Office assistant director for Bicol, detailed efforts that the government is taking to reduce the long lines at some stations.

“There’s no need to panic buy petrol. Fuel tankers for Albay and Sorsogon have already navigated the traffic in Camarines Sur,” Nato said on Facebook on Tuesday.

The LTO Bicol also announced on Tuesday that the Milaor-Naga segment of Asian Highway 26 (AH26) is already open to all vehicles, thanks to improved traffic conditions in the region. This will further facilitate the delivery of fuel and other essential goods to the affected areas.

Fuel is vital for emergency response and local economic activities.

The DOE is collaborating with oil companies to quickly replenish stocks at fuel outlets.

This effort will restore fuel and liquefied petroleum gas supplies, ensuring that emergency vehicles like ambulances and rescue trucks are adequately fueled, significantly enhancing the capacity to respond to urgent needs.

In the past two days, long queues of motorists were observed at several retail outlets in Sorsogon City due to circulating rumors of a petrol shortage and a possible price increase after Typhoon Kristine damaged several roads and bridges along major highways leading to Albay and Sorsogon.

Online reports suggested that some gasoline stations were hoarding petrol products, while others closed earlier than usual because they ran out of supply.

In response to these concerns, gas retailer Nelson Doloiras reassured the public that there was no hoarding of fuel as alleged.

“All fuels except kerosene were sold out as of 2 PM on Sunday, October 27,” said Doloiras, owner of KP Petron Service Center on Magsaysay Street.

“We assure everyone that Petron will not hoard or manipulate prices during this difficult time. The issue is simply a delay in supply,” he explained.

Pump attendant Carlo Abarratique Eulin echoed this assurance, stating that while some outlets had sold out of fuel supplies, he and his colleagues were confident that deliveries would arrive soon. (PIA5/Sorsogon)