MANILA – Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla on Friday said he received reports that some fuel vendors are selling gas at P300 per liter in the typhoon-hit town of Jaro in Leyte.
Petilla said he was not able to verify the report, but he said he won’t be surprised if fuel prices are jacked up because one of the gas stations in the area was shut down.
“Hindi natin nahuli ito, pinuntahan natin, wala naman kaming nahuling nagbebenta. Pero ako’y hindi magtataka kung may magbebenta ng P300 per liter because sa area na ‘yan, medyo natigil ang isang gasolinahan sa pag-operate,” he told dzMM.
Retail prices of petroleum products in Metro Manila range from P40 per liter to P52 per liter.
Petilla assured survivors of the typhoon in the Visayas that there is no shortage of fuel, but he admitted that there is difficulty bringing the supply to the affected areas.
“Sa buong Eastern Visayas, wala tayong shortage sa fuel. Sobra-sobra ang gasolina natin sa area na ‘yan, ang problema lang, hindi dumadating sa mga lugar na dapat nilang datnan,” he said.
The energy chief said around 9 to 10 tankers from Manila have arrived in the Visayas, but distribution has been delayed due to security issues.
He said the tankers were stalled in Catbalogan for a day because of these concerns.
However, Petilla said that as soon as military forces were able to provide security, the tankers proceeded to distributing the supply to all affected areas, except Tacloban City.
Petilla explained that gas stations in Tacloban initially refused to operate, not because of security reasons, but because no banks were open.
“Ang problema nila, walang bangko dito sa Leyte na bukas. Kapag ikaw ay may sale sa isang araw, saan mo ilalagay? Hindi mo naman pwede ilagay sa vault, you have to deposit it somewhere,” he said.
On Friday, several banks in Ormoc, a 2-hour drive from Tacloban, resumed operations which allowed a gas station in Palo to open as well.
Fuel rationing
While there is ample supply of fuel, Petilla said distributors are directed to ration the supply.
He said motorcycles are only allowed to purchase 2 liters of gasoline while large vehicles like buses and trucks are allowed to buy up to 20 liters.
“We cannot do non-rationing at this time kasi nga baka abusuhin naman ng mga scrupulous na mga tao,” Petilla said.
“Iniiwasan din natin ang mga tao magbenta ng bote-bote. Kapag pinayagan natin bumili ng isang drum, pupunta ‘yan sa isang lugar at magbebenta,” he added.
Power restored by Christmas
Petilla said authorities are now working double time to restore electricity in the typhoon-hit areas.
He said the Department of Energy is targeting December 24 to restore power in Samar, Leyte, Panay island, Iloilo and Negros.
Petilla clarified, however, that restoring power in the far-flung areas may take longer.
“Ito ‘yung mga bayan, kasi sa mga libliban na barangay, that will take a little bit of effort na makasama sa December 24,” he said.
He added that authorities will try their best to include even the smallest barangays to have power by Christmas.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
