By Juzel L. Danganan
MANILA, July 2 (PNA) — The Philippine Institute of Petroleum (PIP) signed Thursday the guidelines for securing fuel supply in Metro Manila during times of disasters.
“The implementing guidelines of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) inked in 2014 were signed by PIP, Department of Energy (DOE), the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MMRRMC),” the organization said in a statement Thursday.
Under the guidelines, each of the signatory’s roles has been specified, including the framework that will ensure supply, along with the areas of cooperation.
The guidelines will be implemented for disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons, floods, fire and spills.
The DOE will serve as the primary contact between the government and the petroleum industry, ensuring coordination with PIP to prioritize fuel distribution and immediate restoration of power in fuel depot and retail stations.
PIP noted the temporary suspension of the biofuel blend is also allowed during disasters.
For their parts, MMDRRMC and the NDRRMC will provide a list of staging areas, along with coordinating with the concerned agencies for the truck ban exemption for fuel trucks.
The agreement also allows government agencies to re-fuel in service stations near incident command post (ICP) areas.
The Department and Interior and Local Government (DILG), including its attached agencies, will also relay status reports on affected areas and its fuel requirements, clear operations for roads and bridges, ensure safety and security of fuel tankers, marine vessels and fuel stations.
PIP has signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) last year, as an answer to the supply problems encountered during typhoons.
PIP’s member companies include Chevron Philippines, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation (PSPC), Petron Corp., PTT Philippines Corp., Total Corp. and Isla Gas Corporation. (PNA)