Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a national energy emergency on March 24, 2026, citing risks to the country’s energy supply linked to the escalating conflict in West Asia. The declaration followed concerns over global energy market instability, supply chain disruptions, and rising oil prices, which Marcos described as an “imminent danger” to the nation’s energy security. In an executive order, Marcos announced the formation of a committee tasked with ensuring the orderly movement, supply, distribution, and availability of critical goods such as fuel, food, medicines, agricultural products, and other essentials. The committee’s role is to coordinate measures to mitigate the impact of global energy supply disruptions and protect the domestic economy. The president emphasized that the emergency declaration would empower the government to take responsive actions under existing laws, including procuring necessary fuel and petroleum products to guarantee a timely and sufficient supply. In cases of urgency, the government could also advance payments for contracts to secure energy resources. Philippine Energy Secretary Sharon Garin provided additional details during a news briefing, stating the country had approximately 45 days of fuel reserves based on current consumption levels. She noted efforts to acquire 1 million barrels of oil from both within and outside Southeast Asia to bolster the nation’s buffer stock. The declaration remains in effect for one year, allowing the government to implement strategies to address vulnerabilities in the global energy supply chain. Marcos highlighted the need for coordinated measures to counter the volatility in international oil prices and the broader economic risks posed by the conflict.#philippines #ferdinand_marcos_jr #philippine_president #philippine_energy_secretary #sharon_garin
