Philippines Declares Energy Emergency Amid Fuel Crisis & Protests
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr declared a national energy emergency on Tuesday, citing the escalating tensions in the Middle East and the potential disruption to the country’s fuel supply. The declaration comes as transport workers prepare for a two-day strike beginning Thursday, protesting rising fuel costs and what they describe as the government’s inadequate response.
The emergency declaration empowers the government to implement measures outlined in existing laws to address potential disruptions to the energy supply and the broader economy, according to a statement released by Marcos Jr.’s office. A committee has been established to oversee the movement, supply, and distribution of essential goods, including fuel, food, and medicine.
The declaration, effective for one year, authorizes the government to procure fuel and petroleum products, potentially utilizing advance contract payments to ensure sufficient supply. It also grants authorities the power to investigate and prosecute instances of hoarding, profiteering, and market manipulation related to petroleum products.
Secretary of Energy Sharon Garin stated Tuesday that the Philippines currently holds approximately 45 days of fuel supply based on current consumption rates. The government is actively seeking to procure an additional 1 million barrels of oil from within and outside Southeast Asia, though Garin acknowledged uncertainties in securing this volume.
Manila is also reportedly engaging with Washington to explore potential exemptions that would allow the purchase of oil from countries currently under US sanctions, according to Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez, as reported by Reuters. The ambassador indicated that all options are being considered, including potential oil purchases from Iran and Venezuela.
However, the government’s response has drawn criticism from transport unions and members of the Philippine Senate, who argue that the Marcos administration lacks a comprehensive and coordinated strategy to mitigate the impact of rising oil prices.
Piston, a federation of public transport associations, characterized the emergency declaration as a “superficial band-aid” that fails to address the underlying causes of the fuel crisis. The group called for the immediate suspension of excise and value-added taxes on petroleum products to provide immediate relief to transport workers and commuters. Piston also criticized the government’s reliance on monitoring for “profiteering,” arguing that We see ineffective without addressing the power of multinational oil companies to set prices.
Renato Reyes Jr, of the civil society coalition Bayan, echoed these concerns, stating that the declaration does not address the fundamental issue of escalating oil prices and their impact on the transportation sector and other industries. “It does not mention removing or suspending oil taxes, which are at the core of the people’s demands,” Reyes Jr told Al Jazeera. “Where are the needed price controls?”
In an effort to alleviate the burden on commuters, some cities are offering free bus rides to students and workers. The government has initiated a 5,000 peso ($83) subsidy program for motorcycle taxi drivers and other public transport workers nationwide to help offset the increased cost of fuel.