Mumbai, March 24: Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of national energy emergency on Tuesday, March 24, making the Philippines the first nation to take such drastic measures in response to the escalating conflict in West Asia. Citing an "imminent danger" to the country's energy stability, the President signed an executive order aimed at safeguarding the economy from the shockwaves of the US-Israel war with Iran.

The move comes as the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz - a critical global shipping chokepoint - has triggered a sharp spike in domestic fuel prices and disrupted international supply chains. ‘India Supports De-Escalation and Restoration of Peace at the Earliest’, Says PM Narendra Modi After Phone Call With Donald Trump on West Asia Crisis.

Government Intervention and Oversight Amid Middle East Crisis

The executive order grants the government expanded legal authority to manage the crisis for an initial period of one year. A newly formed contingency committee will oversee the distribution of essential goods, including fuel, food, and medicines.

  • To prevent a total supply collapse, the government is now empowered to:

  • Directly purchase petroleum products to bolster national reserves.

  • Streamline procurement processes and offer advance payments to suppliers.

  • Implement stricter monitoring to prevent hoarding and price gouging.

Surging Fuel Costs and Supply Constraints

Since the outbreak of hostilities on February 28, the Philippines has seen diesel and petrol prices more than double. The country is particularly vulnerable as it imports approximately 98 per cent of its fuel, much of which typically transits through the now-obstructed Strait of Hormuz. Energy Secretary Sharon Garin informed reporters on Tuesday that the country has approximately 45 days of fuel supply remaining. To extend this window, the government is looking to procure an additional one to two million barrels of oil - roughly 10 days of extra supply - from both regional and international sources.

Emergency Mitigation Measures

The declaration follows weeks of mounting pressure from lawmakers and transport groups. In anticipation of the emergency, the administration had already implemented several conservation strategies:

Shifting Power Generation

With the cost of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) soaring due to the conflict, Secretary Garin confirmed that the Philippines will temporarily increase its reliance on coal-fired power plants. While the country aims to maximise local coal production, officials are also in talks with Indonesia to increase imports to ensure the national grid remains stable during the crisis.

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