By Brian Campued
The Department of Energy (DOE) reassured the public that fuel supply conditions are being closely monitored and that there is no basis for panic buying or stockpiling, urging consumers to purchase fuel based on normal needs.
In a Facebook post Tuesday, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin reiterated the DOE’s anti-hoarding rules to ensure safeguards against supply disruptions amid the state of energy emergency in the country.
“Ang bansa po ay may mahigit 50 days na fuel supply buffer. Ibig sabihin, tuloy-tuloy ang dating ng bagong supply—hindi ito “paubos” na bilang,” Garin said.
“Kung walang hoarding, walang problema sa [supply]. Bumili lang ayon sa pangangailangan.”
Garin issued the statement after the discovery of a diesel stockpile without permits inside a residential compound in Barangay Sacred Heart, Quezon City.
“Ang ganito pong mga gawain ang nais nating abatan, kaya natin pinapatupad ang mga alituntunin tungkol sa fuel hoarding. Ang mga pakiusap na ito ay hindi lamang para sa kasiguruhan ng supply ngunit para din sa kaligtasan ng lahat,” the DOE chief said in a separate post.
According to the DOE, gas stations may limit the purchase of fuel for immediate use by motorists, while buying through jerry cans or drums is only allowed for fisherfolk, farmers, and essential sectors, such as healthcare, telecommunications, or government services.
To strengthen on-ground monitoring of fuel retail stations and enforcement against fuel hoarding, the agency also deputized local government units, the Philippine National Police, National Electrification Administration, and the National Power Corporation—ensuring that fuel is distributed properly while supply is also protected.
The DOE’s anti-hoarding measures are part of the broader Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) activated by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. when he issued Executive Order 110 in light of the impact of the Middle East conflict on the Philippines.
-jpv
