http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/me...purchase-limit

[SIZE="4"]Some Metro gas stations imposing fuel purchase limit[/SIZE]
abs-cbnNEWS.com
Posted at 11/17/2010 12:52 AM | Updated as of 11/17/2010 12:52 AM

MANILA, Philippines - The problems in fuel deliveries due to the Batangas-Manila oil pipeline shutdown has caused gas stations in Metro Manila to implement measures including limiting the value of fuel a customer can purchase.

A Caltex gas station was found to have imposed a P1,000 limit on the fuel a customer can buy.

The station had just received a supply of fuel products – but instead of the normal 20,000 liters of fuel, only half was delivered. This, after it waited for 4 days to have its tanks refilled by a petroleum hauler from Batangas.

“Eh hinahati po ng ano… Marami tayong produkto, inaano lang ho natin para madalhan ho natin lahat, pare-parehas ng istasyon,” said Rodel Hidalgo, a tanker driver.

Aside from this, the gas station will now temporarily close at 10 p.m. instead of its usual 24-hour operation.

The management of the station said they have to implement these measures to try and make their limited supply of fuel last.

The measures, however, are also affecting the station’s employees who will have to make do with the limited work schedule.

“Dahil sa isang linggo po, 4 na araw na lang po ang pasok namin… Kasi dalawang shift nga lang kami, wala na kaming panggabi,” said Jona Mae Jimenez, the gas station’s cashier.

Other gas stations, however, are also being forced to close early since their fuel supply has already ran out.

A Shell gas station in Scout Tuazon in Quezon City was found to have temporarily closed its operation since it no longer has any diesel and gasoline to sell – even it was just supplied a day before.

“Due to the price increase… Nag-panic buying,” said Imelda Tolentino, the station’s supervisor, admitting that the hefty increase in pump prices implemented by oil companies on Tuesday added to their supply woes.

In another Shell gas station, the gas pumps for its Premium and V-Power products were found shut. It could only sell diesel and unleaded gasoline which were still available.

The Department of Energy admitted that it was not actually the fuel supply that is the problem but the deliveries.

“There is no fuel shortage, it’s not about the fuel, it’s about moving it to where it is needed,” said Energy Secretary Rene Almendras.

The energy department, however, could not estimate how long this problem in deliveries would take. They said that it would depend when the operations of the pipeline of the First Philippine Industrial Corp. which transports fuel from refineries in Batangas to Pandacan in Manila would resume. Gretchen Malalad with reports from Sheryl Mundo, ABS-CBN News
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/me...purchase-limit