CALBAYOG CITY, Philippines — Long lines at the gas station has become a new norm in this city.
Every day, the people of Calbayog City and nearby towns line up for gas as electricity on the island has yet to be restored.
One resident, Gilbert Aguilar, said he has been lining up for fuel since Supertyphoon “Yolanda” knocked down power lines last November 8, causing power outages in Samar and Leyte.
“We use this for cooking and lighting (at home),” Aguilar told INQUIRER.net as he waited for his turn at the gas pump.
He, however, said that while they have to line up, the wait was not that long.
Aguilar said people from other towns and even Leyte trek to Calbayog City for fuel. This started after Tacloban City was buffeted by storm surges.
Western Samar Representative Mel Sarmiento said they used to get their gas supply from Tacloban City but that is not possible anymore.
Gas station owners in Calbayog City said Sarmiento helped them arrange for barges to transport gas tanker trucks to Samar.
John Siopongco, owner of one of the few gas stations in the city, said everyday they receive 100 kiloliters (kL) of gas. Before the typhoon, the supply lasted for a day, now they’re constantly running out of fuel.
“By half day our supply is already gone,” he told INQUIRER.net.
People line up at a gas station in Calbayog City to get fuel for their household. (Kristine Angeli Sabillo/INQUIRER.net)
Outside, around 50 people were carrying empty gas containers, hoping to get their day’s supply of fuel.
But Siopongco said with more supplies coming in, they’ll be sending fuel to their customers in Eastern Samar and Leyte soon.
“In these situations, we need the private sector’s help. We work closely with them to ensure the supply of oil for Samar and Leyte,” Sarmiento said over the phone.
He said trucks carrying relief goods are counting on gas stations in the cities of Calbayog and Catbalogan before heading to far-flung areas.
“It’s hampering our relief operations,” he said.
The congressman said he was approached by Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II to help find a solution to the gas supply problem.
We conducted our own inventory and we found out there were functioning gasoline stations in other areas, he said.
He said now they are working on supplying gas to those areas to ease the demand in the cities.
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