Manila: The Department of Energy's (DOE) Task Force on Energy Resiliency (TFER) said fuel tankers carrying gasoline, diesel, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) have already penetrated the Bicol Region after the onslaught of the Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami). In a press briefing Tuesday, DOE Undersecretary and TFER Chairperson Felix William Fuentebella said a total of 42 tankers carrying approximately 1 million liters of gasoline and diesel and 19 tankers of LPG carrying around 22,000 11-kilogram cylinders have reached several provinces across the region, including Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Sorsogon, and Masbate as of Tuesday morning. He said the liquid petroleum products are adequate to fuel around 25,000 units of ambulances, while the 22,000 cylinders of LPG can supply 22,000 households that could last up to three weeks. 'We assure the Bicolanos that the Department of Energy and the oil companies of our strategic action in addressing their needs in the region. We ar e working tirelessly to expedite the replenishment process and ensure that fuel tankers can deliver additional supplies without delay to keep communities and emergency response operations running smoothly,' Fuentebella said. He said oil firms such as Petron, Shell, Chevron, Total, Phoenix, Unioil, Jetti, Seaoil, and Isla helped the government in its 'Fuel Caravan' operations. Fuentebella added that the agency has coordinated with the oil companies for the immediate replenishment of stocks at the remaining 56 pump stations that are currently non-operational following the onslaught of 'Kristine.' He also extended the DOE's gratitude to the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) for facilitating the logistics of these essential products. 'We are deeply grateful to the OCD (Office of Civil Defense) for establishing the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief lane, which has been crucial for our Fuel Caravan operations. This designated route, secured by the PNP-HPG, has enabled the deliv ery of replenishment supplies to the hardest-hit areas. Their initiative is a vital part of our collective effort to ensure that essential resources reach the communities in need,' he said. Five teams from the DOE's Oil Industry Management Bureau were also deployed in Bicol to ensure that there is an adequate fuel supply in the region and that there will be no overpricing of petroleum products. The DOE likewise directed the energy stakeholders to roll out preemptive measures in preparation for Typhoon Leon. Source: Philippines News Agency