Petron assures continued fuel supply in Gensan

Petron Corporation, the Philippines leading oil refiner announced that it is closing before the end of the year its depot in Bula, General Santos City (Gensan). The announcement caused concern from transport groups and customers in the area who fear higher prices and unreliable fuel supply. In response, Petron’s Vice President for Supply and Operations Mon Antiporta assured their customers of continued supply. “We wish to assure our customers that the closure in Bula would not have any impact on the supply and prices of fuel products in the Socsksargen area,” Antiporta said. Also known as the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, General Santos City is strategically located in the high growth SOCSKSARGEN area (South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos). It provides trade access to various markets including Asia, Australia and United States. Prior to the closure, he said the company has already started building additional storage tanks and facilities in their Bawing depot so as to prevent disruptions from their operations. He stressed that the additional facilities in Petron’s Bawing depot will be operational before the December deadline and ready to absorb the volumes of its customers from Bula. (July 23, 2008)