From GMA News

By AJ Alarcon and Marielle Orbong

On Tuesday, March 24, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. declared a state of national energy emergency in response to global supply risks and rising oil prices caused by the ongoing Middle East conflict. 

“A state of national energy emergency is hereby declared in light of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, and the resulting imminent danger posed upon the availability and stability of the country’s energy supply,” Marcos said.

Through Executive Order (EO) No. 110, Marcos noted that the Department of Energy (DOE) had determined the current fuel crisis threatens the country’s power supply. The order states that urgent measures are needed to prevent critically low energy levels and ensure the stability of the nation’s energy resources. 

The emergency will “remain in force and effect for one year.”

While the order does not explicitly impose a price ceiling on petroleum products, it grants the President authority under the law to fast-track commodity procurement and intervene in pricing if necessary.

The EO gives specific powers and responsibilities to various agencies:

• The DOE can implement fuel and energy optimization plans, enforce energy conservation measures, and manage load adjustments to stabilize energy supply and mitigate rising fuel costs. Alongside the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) and PNOC-Exploration Corporation, it is also authorized to make advance payments exceeding 15% of contract amounts when needed.
• The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is tasked with expanding the Libreng Sakay Program (free rides), extending train operating hours in Metro Manila, and creating priority transport lanes in coordination with local governments to reduce petroleum dependence.
• The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Agriculture (DA), and Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) must expedite aid distribution. Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is responsible for monitoring and addressing “unreasonable” price increases on essential goods.

The private sector is also urged to work with the government to adopt business policies that reduce transportation demand and costs.

The move comes nearly a month after Iran closed parts of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for 20% of global oil supplies.

Middle East Conflict hits Filipino households

Since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, Israel has considered Iran a major threat, which escalated into a 12-day war in 2025 involving the United States (US) on Israel’s side. In 2026, after months of failed negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, Israel and the US launched multiple joint airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities.

Iran, the third-largest crude producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), ships about 90% of its oil through Kharg Island and the narrow Strait of Hormuz. The conflict and recent missile attacks in the region have disrupted tanker traffic, driving global oil prices higher and unsettling markets.

In the Philippines, the impact is being closely monitored. During a hearing of the Senate Proactive Response and Oversight for Timely and Effective Crisis Strategy (Protect) Committee, lawmakers discussed plans to address rising fuel costs and energy disruptions caused by the war.

“It is our minimum wage earners, the PUV drivers, our OFWs, and Filipino breadwinners who bear the heaviest burden of this crisis. Our response must go beyond providing aid; it must be about systemic protection,” Sen. JV Ejercito said. He also noted that middle-class Filipinos, who make up about 40% of the population, should receive support as part of the government’s response.

Maintenance of the Remaining Supplies

With the EO in place, DOE Secretary Sharon Garin announced an estimated 45 days’ worth of fuel supply for the whole country, including jet fuel and buffer stocks, based on discussions with fuel companies.

She further stressed that the current domestic supply of fuel oil is expected to last 61.49 days; gasoline, 53.14 days; diesel, 45.82 days; kerosene, 97.93 days; liquefied petroleum gas, 23.51 days; and jet fuel, 38.62 days.

Amid ongoing circumstances, Garin assured the public that the country continues to receive supplies from supplier countries like South Korea, Japan, and China.

To ensure the efficiency of the remaining supply, the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) Committee, chaired by the President, is now authorized to implement initiatives that will “safeguard national interest.” 

Composed of the Executive Secretary and the secretaries of the Departments of Energy, Transportation, Social Welfare, Agriculture, Finance, Budget, and Economy, the committee also handles the responsibility of ensuring the availability of domestic energy supply, the uninterrupted provision of essential services, the maintenance of economic activity, and the protection of vulnerable sectors. They are also in charge of safeguarding economic stability and formulating long-term demand-side strategies to minimize petroleum product consumption. 

In terms of financing these initiatives, the order stated that the funding that is needed shall be sourced from existing appropriations of the concerned National Government agencies and Local Government Units (LGUs). Other appropriate funding sources that may arise are subject to existing budgeting, accounting, and auditing laws, rules, and regulations as the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) may identify.