Gwen allows fuel loading directly to vehicle tanks only
By Cherry Ann T. Lim
TO PREVENT the hoarding and reselling of fuel, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia has issued an order allowing the loading of fuel directly to vehicle tanks only, with limited exceptions, starting Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021.
“The drawing of gasoline or diesel fuel shall be direct to the tank and limited ONLY to the full tank capacity of each vehicle,” Garcia said in her Executive Order 50 issued Tuesday.
The order regulates the drawing of gasoline and diesel fuel from gas stations across the Province of Cebu after Typhoon Odette (Rai) caused a province-wide blackout that has forced residents and business owners alike to form long lines at gas stations to buy fuel for generators, causing heavy traffic.
The order says persons buying fuel may not fill barrels, drums and other containers with fuel unless they are among those authorized to do so, such as “hospitals, hotels, banks and other essential and public service establishments,” provided they show proof of the nature of their business such as their business permits.
The order allows the drawing of fuel for residential generators, but only up to 10 liters, and if proof of ownership of a generator is presented, like the purchase receipt or pictures.
The governor also prohibited gas stations and other gasoline and diesel fuel dealers from increasing their prices from the current rates.
Last Dec. 17, Garcia declared a state of calamity across the Province of Cebu due to the devastation brought by Odette last Thursday.
Water and telecommunication services have also been impacted by the downing of Cebu’s power lines by Odette’s 175 to 240-kilometer winds, causing long lines for water and the inability of some towns and cities to communicate the effects of the typhoon in their areas and their need for assistance.
Last Monday, Llex Jay Denia, district manager for southern islands of Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., called on the public to “calm down” and not hoard fuel, saying the oil firm has ample supply.
He said 50 of Shell’s 62 gas stations in Cebu were already capable of operating, but not all could do so due to the heavy traffic that has hampered the delivery of fuel from Shell’s depot in Mandaue City to restock the fuel inventory of the stations.
He said gas station dealers could also not operate longer hours to meet the increased demand, as they were all also running on generating sets that needed to rest so they don’t break down.
The Department of Energy Visayas Field Office assured Tuesday that Cebu has enough supply of fuel for the next 16 days and that more fuel would be delivered to Cebu. (CTL)
