DOE sends fuel, LPG to Kristine-hit Bicol

The Department of Energy (DOE) on Monday said it has delivered fuel and liquified petroleum gas (LPG) supplies in the Bicol Region as part of its response operations in areas hit by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.

In a statement, the DOE said the agency provided 11 fuel tankers, each loaded with 20,000 liters of liquid petroleum products, and seven more tankers, each loaded with 180 pieces of 11-kilogram LPG cylinders.

“Fuel is a critical lifeline to emergency response operations and economic activities in the region, and the DOE is responding swiftly and strategically through its ‘Fuel Caravan’ initiative,” the DOE said.

“This ensures that emergency vehicles, such as ambulances and rescue trucks, have the necessary fuel to operate effectively. Each lorry can provide a full tank of fuel for up to 400 ambulances, significantly enhancing the capacity of emergency services to respond to urgent needs,” it added.

The Department of Public Works and Highways and the Philippine National Police - Highway Patrol Group personnel also helped in facilitating the fuel caravan and traffic management, the DOE said.

Meanwhile, Manila Water Company, Inc. has so far distributed over 4,000 bottles of five gallons of water to areas hit by Kristine.

The water company also deployed 10 cubic meters of water tanker and a motorized boat in Camarines Sur, said Manila Water Foundation Senior Program Manager Bess Par in an interview with Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.

Due to Kristine’s impact, a state of calamity was declared in some Bicol areas, including the entire provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, and Catanduanes, as well as Bulan town in Sorsogon.

As of Monday, 116 people were reported dead due to Kristine, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

The NDRRMC also said that 39 individuals were reported missing and 109 others were reported injured.

--Joviland Rita and Vince Angelo Ferreras/ VAL/RSJ, GMA Integrated News