MANILA, Philippines — There is an adequate supply of fuel for the National Capital Region (NCR) even if it’s on lockdown, the Department of Energy (DOE) assured the public on Sunday.
According to DOE, “there is continuous and sufficient oil supply in the NCR during the 30-day community quarantine imposed by the government, as part of efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).”
DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi also said the whole agency would be working hard to ascertain that fuel demands of areas under quarantine would be addressed.
The energy department further said that as of its February 29 inventory of the country’s oil supplies, there are 2.7 billion liters of crude and oil products, which translates to around 45 days of fuel supply, available. This, DOE noted, is above the Minimum Inventory Requirement being observed by the oil industry.
“During this most challenging time, it is imperative to ensure the continued supply of fuel products, especially in areas under quarantine,” Cusi said in a statement posted on DOE’s Facebook page.
“Having sufficient petroleum supply is vital, making it a critical concern amid this crisis. The entire energy family is working 24/7 to make sure that energy services remain unimpeded,” he added.
DOE said it has coordinated with oil companies for the availability of fuel products and asked them to submit a status report on their oil supply.
“Oil companies are also encouraged to report any issues on domestic distribution, as well as any act of hoarding to the Department,” DOE said.
On March March 12, President Rodrigo Duterte announced a “community quarantine” of entire Metro Manila from March 15 to April 14 to curb the spread of COVID-19, a respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2, which outbreak originated in Wuhan City, Hubei, China in the late 2019.
To date, COVID-19 has infected 111 people and killed eight in the Philippines.
The World Health Organisation declared COVID-19 a pandemic as it has affected more than 152,000 and killed more than 5,000 globally as of March 14.
KGA
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