The Philippines Announces National Energy Emergency

Photo from Unsplash | Energy crisis in Philippines continues to cause more issues.

Philippines’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the national energy emergency on Mar. 24th. Ninety percent of the Philippines' oil comes from the Middle East, which means the country is more prone to disruptions like higher fuel prices, inflation and supply shortages.

The war is a conflict involving US and Israel against Iran by using regional attacks and killing Iranian officials. The declaration will be enforced for one year. Meanwhile, the Philippines is resorting to Russia, China and other Southeast Asian countries for fuel. The country has 45 days of fuel supply left.

Sharon Garin, Secretary of Energy, stated that the government’s plan was to obtain one million barrels of oil from other countries, although this plan is not guaranteed. Garin also mentioned the country would have to temporarily rely on coal, in which the Phillippines is relying on their top supplier Indonesia.

Jose Manuel Romualdez, Philippines Ambassador to the US, told the press that Manila is working with Washington to make exceptions to rules regarding the purchase of oils from countries under U.S sanctions. Meaning, some countries are limited from buying oil or other goods because it is restricted by the U.S.

In addition to the crisis response, committees are making food, medicine and other essential needs accessible to citizens. Filipino workers held a two-day strike to spread awareness of increasing fuel prices. In some cities, citizens are given free bus rides and public transport workers are given financial aid from the government of 5,000 pesos ($83) to help with the rising cost of diesel and gasoline prices.

2.4 million Filipinos reside and work in the Middle East, 800 in Iran and 31,000 in Israel. Over 40,000 Filipinos that were set to jobs in Israel, Lebanon and the Gulf cannot leave because of limited flight availability. The department of migrant workers were asked to prepare themselves to bring Filipinos back to safety as this crisis resumes.

President Marcos has signed an executive order to take quick action of the crisis and to use existing laws flexibly to alleviate the fuel shortage and the rising price issue.

“We are victims of a war that is not of our choosing,” Marcos said.