Members of the Coast Guard District Bicol and Coast Guard Station Albay perform clearing operations on October 23, 2024 as tropical storm Kristine batters parts of the country. Handout, PCG/Coast Guard District Bicol

MANILA -- In the aftermath of the devastating severe tropical storm Kristine, 1 million liters of fuel has been successfully delivered to the Bicol Region to assist in the area's recovery efforts, the Department of Energy said (DOE) on Tuesday.

The delivery of fuel and liquefied petroleum gas through 42 tankers was arranged by government agencies and fuel companies through a fuel caravan.

DOE Undersecretary Wimpy Fuentebella said this was done to address fuel shortage in areas that have been inaccessible since the typhoon hit, as relief and restorations efforts are underway.

“Inipon po siya ng (Philippine National Police, Office of Civil Defense, Highway Patrol Group) para itawid sa traffic at sa baha para makatagos papasok ng Naga City and surrounding areas ng Naga City para mapabilis ang restoration,” Fuentebella said.

(The PNP, OCD, HPG are working together to the fuel pass through traffic so it can get to Naga and surrounding areas for fast restoration.)

The supply of LPG delivered in the region can cover two weeks of consumption for affected residents. Replenishment of fuel supply was also prioritized to extend resources for emergency response teams, the DOE said.

“‘Yung ating fuel tankers, ‘pag na-deliver na po nila ‘yong produkto sa kanilang destination, uulit sila para bumalik sa Pasacao Deport at magdeliver ulit sa retail outlets,”  Fuentebella explained.

(Once our fuel tankers have delivered their productsl, they will go back to the Pasacao Deport to deliver again to retail outlets.)

The DOE appealed to the public to avoid hoarding of stocks to ensure supply for everyone and that the department is in coordination with stakeholders for another fuel caravan in the area.

“‘Yung hoarding, huwag po nilang gagawin para mas mabilis po ang pagbangon natin as a community,” he added.

(Let us avoid hoarding so we can recover as a community more quickly.)

The DOE reported 76 percent of gasoline stations or 180 out of 236 outlets in the Bicol Region are operational. The remaining outlets that have been closed due to the typhoon are subject to monitoring to ensure that it is safe to operate and fuel products are not contaminated.

The DOE also advised Filipinos not to travel to Bicol during the All Saints Day break because of traffic congestion in the area. The agency also noted that some roads in the area are still not passable after the storm's onslaught. 

The energy department is also gearing for the impact of severe tropical storm Leon.

DOE Secretary Raphael Lotilla has ordered the deployment of stocks in Regions 1, 2, 3, 6, CAR and MIMAROPA as a preemptive measure and to ensure fuel supply.

At least 116 have been confirmed dead after Kristine ravaged large swaths of the Philippines.

The Department of Transportation also said Kristine caused up to P110 million in damages to various sea ports in the country. 

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