Oil players, gov’t agencies ink power supply pact

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Institute of Petroleum (PIP), the organization of major oil companies, has joined hands with government agencies to ensure fuel supply in times of disasters.

PIP signed the agreement with the Department of Energy, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MMDRRMC) to ensure stable supply of fuels in Metro Manila in the event of disasters.

The agreement is the industry’s response to the need for a reliable and continuous supply of fuels in the aftermath of calamities that would ensure faster delivery of humanitarian aid, reconstruction and rehabilitation.

It 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, PIP said.

Under the agreement, the Department of Energy would serve as the lead agency and main contact point for the government and the petroleum industry, and will lead in the development of a communications protocol as well as Disaster Management Plan.