Sixteen gas stations in the Davao Region have temporarily closed due to fuel supply shortages, prompting the Philippine National Police (PNP) to step up monitoring and coordination with the Department of Energy (DOE), according to an official.
Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) spokesperson Major Catherine dela Rey reported on Wednesday that out of 632 gas stations in the region, 16 had closed as of 6 a.m. on March 25 due to supply shortages: eight in Davao City, six in Davao del Norte, and two in Davao Oriental.
Dela Rey added that the first station closure occurred on March 9, while the most recent was on March 22.
She said that on March 24, the DOE authorized the PNP to conduct “dipping inspections” of underground fuel tanks to verify if remaining stocks meet the 10-15% threshold, ensuring any shortages are legitimate.
“So far, wala pa mi na receive na complain nga naay hoarding. Ang PNP is more on monitoring and coordination with the DOE,” dela Rey added during the Davao Peace and Security Press Corps media briefing at The Royal Mandaya Hotel.
Dela Rey emphasized that the PNP’s role remains focused on monitoring and coordination, supporting regulatory checks without taking immediate enforcement action against hoarding or other violations.
Meanwhile, Dela Rey stressed that the PNP is following directives from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. following the signing of an Executive Order declaring a state of national energy emergency in light of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, and the resulting imminent danger posed upon the availability and stability of the country’s energy supply.
The declaration is anchored on the determination by the Secretary of Energy that recent hostilities in the Middle East involving the United States of America, Israel, and Iran have heightened geopolitical tensions in the region that plays a critical role in global oil production and transportation, creating uncertainty in global energy markets, severe disruptions in supply chains, and significant volatility and upward pressure on international oil prices, thereby posing a threat to the country’s energy security.
Dela Rey said PRO 11 had already established a Special Task Force to monitor fuel supply before the declaration, allowing proactive measures to prevent disruption in the region’s fuel distribution.
“Kung unsa man ang mga mando sa atong Presidente mu-support gyud ang Philippine National Police (PNP). Nag declare naman ug State of Emergency apan before sa declaration sa State of Emergency si PRO 11 naka create nata ug Special Task Force Unified to Fuel Issues ug naga monitor nata sa mga gasoline stations all over Davao Region,” dela Rey said.
