THE Department of Energy (DOE) assured the public of uninterrupted fuel supply on Samar Island despite the recently imposed 3-metric ton (MT) weight limit on vehicles crossing the San Juanico Bridge.
The DOE said in a statement on Tuesday several government agencies and the private sector were tapped to implement alternative solutions that address logistical challenges in fuel deliveries to the island.
The agency said such a move is needed since all petroleum deliveries to Samar have traditionally relied on land transport and the new weight restriction effectively bars standard fuel tankers, which typically weigh between 19 metric tons (MT) and 20 MT for a 10,000-liter load to cross the bridge.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council recently approved prioritization of oil tankers in the roll-on/roll-off (RORO) vessel loading queues.
The agency added the Department of Transportation also 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, will also provide the Office of Civil Defense-Eastern Visayas 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.
At the same time, DOE said that Insular Oil Corp., which operates a fuel depot in San Isidro, Northern Samar, has agreed to accommodate petroleum deliveries from both major oil companies and independent players, to provide an additional layer of supply resilience for the region.
DOE said current estimates show most gasoline stations in Samar maintain a maximum storage capacity of up to two weeks, necessitating regular replenishment every seven to 14 days.
“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 Lotilla said in the statement.
Despite the current assurance, the DOE said it will continue consulting with concerned government agencies, downstream oil industry stakeholders, and private sector partners to optimize fuel logistics, enhance port infrastructure, and establish coordinated delivery schedules to maintain stable and secure fuel supply chains.
The Department of Public Works and Highways earlier this month imposed the weight restriction on vehicles passing through the 2.16 kilometer San Juanico Bridge due to concerns over its structural integrity. The bridge, which was completed in 1973, links Samar and Leyte islands.
