President Ferdinand Marcos has declared a state of 'national energy emergency' in the Philippines, citing the ongoing conflict in the Middle East as posing 'an imminent danger of a critically low energy supply'. The executive order, which will initially last for one year, authorises the Department of Energy to take direct action against hoarding or profiteering and to make advance payments to secure fuel contracts.
The declaration came hours after Energy Secretary Sharon Garin announced that the country plans to boost output from its coal-fired power plants to keep electricity costs down, as the war disrupts gas shipments. Garin described this as a 'temporary measure' that could start as early as 1 April, with the hope of decreasing electricity rate hikes caused by the conflict.
To further secure fuel supplies, the Philippines is seeking waivers from the US State Department to obtain oil from US-sanctioned countries, including possibly Iran and Venezuela, according to Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez. He told Reuters the matter was a 'work in progress'. The government said it had about 45 days of fuel supply remaining as of 20 March and is seeking to procure another 1 million barrels of oil to build its buffer.
The Department of Migrant Workers has been asked to prepare for possible rescue and evacuation of Filipinos in the Middle East, where about 2.4 million live and work, including around 31,000 in Israel and 800 in Iran. Meanwhile, the government has started providing 5,000 pesos ($83) each to motorcycle taxi drivers and other public transport workers to help with soaring fuel prices, and free bus rides in selected cities.
The order also grants the Department of Transportation authority to direct fuel subsidies for public transport and to reduce or suspend toll charges and aviation fees, while fast-tracking aid to individuals in crisis situations. The Philippines, which relies on coal for about 60% of its electricity generation, has some of the region's highest energy costs and is heavily dependent on imported fuel.
