Metro Manila fuel supply hampered by damaged bridge in Batangas
by Tina Ganzon, ABS-CBN Southern Tagalog | 11/04/2009 6:34 PM
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BATANGAS - Batangas city officials together with private companies are appealing to the national government for the immediate release of funding for the repair of a bridge that collapsed last Saturday during the onslaught of Typhoon “Santi”.
Batangas 2nd district Rep. Hermilando I. Mandanas had reported to President Arroyo that the collapse of the Bridge of Promise has affected 70% of the LPG supply of the entire country. He also said that since Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. and the fuel tank farm of Philippine Airlines are also isolated, the flow of the 30% of fuel for the entire country is also affected.
In addition, the delivery of cement from the two cement plants in Batangas, which supply 30% of the needs of Metro Manila, has also been hampered. Furthermore, 70% of the plastic resin supply coming from the only operating Petrochemical Plant in the Philippines is also affected, said Mandanas.
Facilities of big companies such as Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation, KEPCO Ilijan Corporation, JG Summit and San Miguel/Purefoods are all located in the Batangas south area and remain inaccessible to delivery and tanker trucks together with 50% of the residents of the 2nd district of Batangas.
According to the Department of Public Works and Highways-Batangas 2nd Engineering District Office, the initial estimated cost for the bridge alone is P130 million and this excludes the repair of river walls needed for the abutments, which will cost another P70 million.
Batangas City Mayor Eddie B. Dimacuha has also sent a letter of appeal to President Arroyo. Private companies are reportedly preparing a manifesto to supplement the urgent request.
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