The Department of Energy (DOE) on Tuesday moved to ensure uninterrupted supply of petroleum products, including liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), to Samar with the weight limit restrictions imposed on the San Juanico bridge.
“The DOE remains committed to safeguarding the energy security of Samar and its people. By working hand-in-hand with government agencies and oil industry partners, we are confident in our shared ability to rise above these challenges with unity, urgency, and purpose,” Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla said in a statement.
In light of the recently imposed 3-metric ton weight limit on vehicles crossing the San Juanico bridge, the DOE promptly coordinated with both government and industry stakeholders to implement alternative solutions that address logistical challenges in fuel deliveries to the Island.
The DOE said that as all petroleum deliveries to Samar have traditionally relied on land transport, the new weight restriction effectively bars standard fuel tankers, which typically weigh between 19 to 20 metric tons for a 10,000-liter load, from crossing the bridge.
It said this development highlighted the urgent need for decisive and innovative logistical measures and welcomed National Disaster Risk reduction and Management Council’s (NDRMMC) recent approval to prioritize oil tankers in the rollon/roll-off (RORO) vessel loading queues.
Current estimates show that most gasoline stations in Samar maintain a maximum storage capacity of up to two weeks, necessitating regular replenishment every 7 to 14 days.
The agency said continuous fuel supply is essential to sustain transportation, economic activities, and most critically, emergency and disaster response operations.
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon has assured the DOE that the RORO port in Basey, Samar will be made ready to accommodate fuel shipments, further supporting this critical logistical shift.
To operationalize this priority loading, the DOE, in close coordination with the Petroleum Institute of the Philippines (PIP), will provide the OCD Region VIII with a list of fuel tanker trucks targeted to be transported on May 29, 2025 from the Port of Ormoc to the Ports of Maginoo and Calbayog in Samar.
This initiative aims to ensure timely and sustained delivery of fuel to key cities and municipalities across the island.
The DOE also acknowledged the valuable support of Insular Oil Corporation, which operates a fuel storage depot in San Isidro, Northern Samar.
The company has agreed to accommodate petroleum deliveries from both major oil companies and independent players, providing an additional layer of supply resilience for the region.
