Palace assures public: No fuel shortage

By Aurea Calica (The Philippine Star) Updated November 28, 2010

MANILA, Philippines –  Malacañang reassured the public yesterday that there would be no shortage of fuel supply in the country that could lead to an increase in oil prices.

Pilipinas Shell confirmed yesterday the shutdown of 35 gas stations in Taguig City, Pampanga, and Cavite, but government officials said there would be no gas shortage as half of Metro Manila’s supply would come from Petron Corp.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte told radio station dzRB that Shell and Chevron Philippines had also been exempted from the truck ban so they could continuously transport supply from their depot to their stations.

The temporary shutdown of the First Philippine Industrial Corp. (FPIC) gas pipeline caused the shutdown of some of Shell’s stations.

The FPIC pipeline, which carries fuel products from Philippine Shell refineries in Batangas, was closed due to a gas leak in Barangay Bangkal, Makati City.

The Supreme Court had also earlier issued a “writ of kalikasan” which temporarily closed the operation of the pipeline.

Shell explained that its more than 200 trucks could not supplement the supply of petroleum in all their branches in Metro Manila and other areas.

“These are only 35 gas stations,” Valte said, explaining that this should not adversely affect oil supply in the metropolis.

But she said the government is readying contingency measures to ensure that oil supply would not be affected. “Hopefully that (pipeline) would be resolved soon so their supply can be normalized,” Valte said.