As the country looks for ways to address the ongoing fuel crisis.
During the Palace Press Briefing on Tuesday, April 14, Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Secretary Sharon Garin told that she has directed all legitimate gas stations to participate in the fuel discount program.
However, pending registration in the Landbank app, only the 33 out of the 52 stations were initially onboarded. But Garin expressed optimism that all 52 gas stations in Metro Manila will be able to complete the process and begin offing the P10-per-liter discount for PUVs nationwide.
“I have issued a directive this (Tuesday) morning na lahat na legitimate gas stations have to participate,”said the DOE chief. “So, halos lahat naman. Why is it only 33 out of 52? Kasi hindi pa tapos ‘yung pag-register nila sa LandBank app. So, ngayon, 33 ang na-confirm (registered). Actually, ang mga taga-LandBank ngayon ay iniisa-isa nila ‘yung gas stations.”
She also added that the government program offering a P10 per liter discount for PUV will be piloted in the National Capital Region, but will eventually be implemented nationwide.
“Try natin ano mga problema sa NCR, and if everything goes okay, then we can scale that to nationwide na siya,” Garin said.
For the bank’s part, Landbank President and CEO Lynette Ortiz expressed commitment to completing the registration of all 52 gasoline stations in Metro Manila.
“We assure the public that the 52 will be onboarded today. So we’re all hands on deck just to make sure that the 52 gas stations will be opening land bank accounts,” Ortiz noted. “And as I mentioned, this is really through our mobile banking app. So everything becomes very easy and convenient for both the gas station and we hope, for both the gas station and we hope for the PUV drivers as well.”
For PUV drivers that are not tech-savvy, Garin said the mechanism is basic. PUV drivers must bring their registered vehicles when availing of the fuel discount, as verification will be based on the vehicle’s plate number.
“Punta ka. Kailangan dala ko ang jeep ko kung ako yung PUV driver,” the energy secretary said. “Hindi puwede na ibang kotse ang dala ko. Kasi ‘yung plate number…ang titingnan ng attendant. ‘Yung attendant, mayroon ng app siya. So, siya lang ang kailangang may app. So, input niya ‘yung station code, (vehicle) plate number.”
She added, “Yun lang, pag nag-match ‘yan, sasabihin, may 100 liters pa siyang puwede magkaroon ng P10 discount. So, kaya kailangan lang connected para wala nang mano-mano, wala ng coupon-coupon.”
SUFFICIENT SUPPLY
Meanwhile, garin assured that the Philippines gas sufficient inventory of major petroleum products
She said that the country has an average 50-day supply of all products. For LPG, there is a 36-day supply; for kerosene, 105 days; for diesel, 49 days; and for gasoline, 54 days.
“The lowest right now is at 36 days of LPG but yesterday (Monday) we confirmed an order together with PNOC (Philippine National Oil Company) and our oil companies na nangangailangan and we have made an order, additional order yesterday morning and I think we will reach about 50 days by today also on average,” she clarified.
The DOE secretary added, “Maganda pa naman ‘yung supply level natin, but that all depends also on what will happen with the Strait of Hormuz, ano ang availability sa ibang countries.”
“Pero magandang number ito kasi sa number na ito, binibigyan tayo ng 50 days to make the replenishment. Hindi mauubos ito pagka after 50 days. Ang ibig sabihin nito, makakahanap tayo habang kinukonsumo natin within the 50 days,” Garin furthered.
Other than that, Garin said the DOE is continuing to work on solutions such as fast-tracking rooftop solar panels, net metering, and installing more renewables to make the Philippines less dependent on Middle East oil, which makes the country vulnerable to global tensions.
The energy chief also appealed to the public to cut electricity and fuel consumption, whether it’s through government programs or through people’s day-to-day activities in homes and in offices.
DIVERSIFYING SOURCES
To bolster the country’s petroleum supply, the DOE said thar it is focusing on diversifying crude oil sourcing to ensure a sufficient fuel supply if the 30-day waiver on buying Russian crude is not extended
Sec. Sharon Garin said they have communicated with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to request another window or extension for the lifting of the embargo on Russian oil, adding that they are awaiting the response from the US side.
“We are very positive on getting this other window. If it doesn’t come through, we have other options also,” Garin said.
“We wanted to open the Russian window because we want more options. Diversification ang kailangan para hindi tayo dependent sa isang country lang.”
Furthermore, the DOE chief said the Philippines can source crude from Colombia, Argentina, Canada, and the US.
While there are different types of crude oil, she explained that refined products are also usable and can be sourced from neighboring countries such as Brunei and India.
On whether the country expects more deliveries from Russia, Garin said that based on the weekly report from oil companies, there are no existing orders from Russia.