Fuel supply ensured during disasters

The Philippine Institute of Petroleum (PIP), composed of major oil industry players, signed a landmark agreement with the Department of Energy (DOE), the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), and the Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MMDRRMC) to ensure a stable supply of fuels in Metro Manila in the event of disasters.

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The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed in the recent Industry Emergency Response (IERO) Cooperation event.  This year’s IERO theme “Fuelling Business Continuity in Critical Times” highlighted the need for a reliable and continuous supply of fuels in the aftermath of calamities that ensures faster delivery of humanitarian aid, reconstruction, and rehabilitation.  IERO is an annual event conducted by PIP to enhance capabilities in disaster preparedness and response, workplace safety, environmental management, among others.

The MOA identifies key areas of cooperation and develops a framework to ensure fuel supply in case of emergencies and calamities such as earthquakes, typhoons, floods, fire and spills. Further in the agreement, the DOE will continue to serve as the primary contact point between the government and the petroleum industry and will lead in the development of a communications protocol as well as a Disaster Management Plan.

The PIP, in coordination with the DOE, will also prioritize the supply of fuel products to available and fully functional retail stations nearest the emergency response staging areas identified by the MMDRRMC or the NDRRMC.

The MMDRRMC, meanwhile, as well as the local government units of Metro Manila, shall activate or re-establish communications and coordination among key organizations during major emergencies and disasters.

“We are pleased to be part of this public-private agreement to ensure that much-needed fuels get to the people who need it the most after a disaster. We have learned many valuable lessons from past calamities. There is an urgent need for closer cooperation among all sectors for a speedy and effective response and recovery.  We must do this together,” PIP said.

Metro Manila, which is composed of 15 cities and one municipality, has a population of nearly 35 million and is one of the fast-growing urban areas in the world.  It is now one of the top real estate markets in the Asia-Pacific, driven by the increasing number of multinational companies establishing their outsourced services. This growth, however, can be easily hampered by the lack of preparedness in the event of natural or man-made disasters. A recent survey conducted by reinsurance firm Swiss Re, showed that Metro Manila, frequently visited by typhoons and sitting on a major fault line, is among the riskiest areas in terms of natural calamities.

“We hope that this agreement serves as a model of cooperation as we pursue similar arrangements nationwide,” PIP added.

PIP is a non-stock, non-profit. SEC – registered grouping of businesses operating in the downstream oil industry. PIP serves as a venue for the sharing, preservation and refinement of best practices in the fields of health, safety, environment and quality; and acts as an industry oversight group for concerns in product quality standards, transport, handling and best practices in compliance with relevant government regulations. PIP members include Chevron Philippines Inc., Isla Gas, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation (Shell), PTT Philippines Corp., Total (Philippines) Corporation, and Petron Corporation.