MANILA, Philippines – Expect to see more gas stations closing in the coming weeks in addition to the more than 400 that have already temporarily shut down due to limited fuel supply.

Representatives of petroleum companies testified on Thursday, March 26, that the Philippines’ fuel importation after April is not assured.

This is contrary to assurances from Energy Secretary Sharon Garin and even President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself that importations were coming to replenish the country’s 45-day inventory as of Friday, March 20.

In a Senate proactive response and oversight for timely and effective crisis strategy committee hearing, Rafael Capinpin, executive director of the Philippine Institute for Petroleum, said their members have been “working very hard to secure supply,” but that it’s been “very hard” to do so. 

“It’s not a secret that it’s very hard to secure supplies now. Many of the traders are keeping quiet, especially for deliveries in May. There has been no responses for tenders for May,” he said. 

Capinpin added that most consumers can still buy now, “but then again, how long we can continue buying is a question.” 

The Philippine Institute for Petroleum includes Shell Pilipinas Corporation, Petron Corporation, Chevron Philippines, PTT Philippines, and Isla LPG Corporation.

Tanya Samillano, president of the Independent Philippine Petroleum Companies Association, gave the same insight. Her group includes the small players in the country such as Seaoil, Unioil, Eastern Petroleum, Flying V, among others.

“Our members have already confirmed with the Department of Energy that so far, our incoming importations are still arriving, but we haven’t received any confirmation for future deliveries beyond April,” she said. 

She backed the statement of Capinpin saying, “future importations, tenders haven’t been confirmed up to now.” 

“It’s on a wait and see. Although there are some offers in the market, but the price is very high,” Samillano said. 

Monitoring by the Philippine National Police found that 415 gas stations out of 14,269 stations nationwide were “temporarily not operational due to supply constraints” as of 7 am Wednesday, March 25. 

Hardest hit by closures are: Cordillera Administrative Region with 78 stations, Cagayan Valley with 50, Central Luzon with 42, Calabarzon with 35, and Bicol Region with 30. – Rappler.com