LOON, Bohol, (PNA) — The Department of Energy (DOE) has already implemented measures to address the concern on fuel supply in the province, President Benigno S. Aquino III said.
During his briefing with his Cabinet and other Local Government Officials of Bohol on Wednesday at the Loon Municipal Hall, the Chief Executive said the DOE is still closely coordinating with oil companies to supply the fuel needs of Bohol which was severely affected by the magnitude 7.2 earthquake last October 15.
Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla reported to the President that the DOE personnel have inspected all gasoline stations in the provinces that were hit by the earthquake.
“Mr. President, lahat halos ng gas station ay nag-o-operate na ngayon. Nadaanan natin iyong iba. Ang report sa ABS-CBN at one point, saka sa GMA na ang gasoline dito ay P120—P100 to P120, ito po ang bote-bote” Petilla said.
“At sa Maribojoc po, hindi natin maiwasan ang bote-bote kasi talagang wala silang gasolina kundi iyong bote-bote. Mr. President, meron tayong nakausap na taga-Petron. Ang plano naming gawin dito is lagyan ng temporary tangke at saka temporary na pump—manual. By Friday, may generator na sila; electric na ito. At ang gagawin natin dito, we will try to eliminate the bote-bote,” he continued.
Petilla said 83 percent of the barangays in Bohol now have electricity, adding that he expects electricity in Bohol will be completely restored by October 30.
“On a per household basis, ang may kuryente is about 62 percent. Iyong iba ayaw magpa-ilaw kasi hindi sila sigurado sa structure nila; iyong iba naman, walang nakatira, so ayaw pa nilang pailawan,” he said.
“Right now, we have 215 katao, Mr. President, from Eastern Visayas, from Cebu, just about anywhere na puwedeng pumunta dito at tumutulong sa assessment on a per household basis na, Mr. President—hindi lang per town, per barangay, pati iyong bahay ina-assess na natin,” he said.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor were among the hardest hit areas.