CEBU CITY – There is no need to panic and there is no need to hoard gasoline and petroleum products.
This was the assurance given by oil companies as a throng of people continue to flock at gas stations even after almost a week since typhoon Odette devastated Metro Cebu.
“We have more than enough supply,” said Garcia, who met with officials of oil companies and other stakeholders on Wednesday, Dec. 22, at the Cebu Capitol.
Among those who attended the meeting were representatives of Shell, Petron, Phoenix and PTT who all assured that there is enough supply of fuel in Cebu.
On the part of Shell, it assured that it has three million liters of fuel as a vessel carrying petroleum products arrived last December 21. Another vessel carrying additional supply of fuel is set to arrive on December 25.
Shell said 29 of its 49 gas stations in Metro Cebu are operational.
Gas stations here have been dealing with long lines of motorists. While there are those who line up to refuel, some are buying fuel products to resell it in black market with prices ranging from P100 to P150 per liter.
Petron for its part assured that it has supply of fuel good for the next 15 days.
At least 23 Petron gas stations are functioning while five others are awaiting their generator sets for it to operate.
The governor announced during the meeting that the Department of Energy has declared a price freeze for petroleum products.
Garcia said she will be issuing an Executive Order which aims to stabilize prices of fuel products.
Garcia said she learned that some small players or the so-called white stations have jacked up their prices.
“Any violator will be issued a cease-and-desist order and will be given an overnight stay at the CPDRC (Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center),” said Garcia.