25 March,2026 01:21 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. File Pic
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos has declared a state of "national energy emergency" as tensions in the Middle East threaten global fuel supply. The announcement came on Tuesday through an executive order, highlighting concerns over the availability and stability of the country's energy resources, an AFP reported stated.
The order stated that the ongoing conflict poses an "imminent danger" to both energy supply and the domestic economy, prompting urgent action from the government.
According to the AFP report, under the emergency declaration, the Department of Energy has been authorised to act quickly to secure fuel supplies. This includes making advance payments of 15 percent for fuel contracts. Authorities have also been empowered to take strict action against hoarding and profiteering.
The government said the move would help "implement responsive and coordinated measures" to deal with disruptions in global energy supply as reported by AFP.
In addition, the transportation department can now provide fuel subsidies for public transport, reduce or suspend toll charges, and cut aviation fees. Aid will also be fast-tracked for people affected by rising costs.
With global gas supplies under pressure, the Philippines is preparing to rely more on coal-fired power plants. Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the country may temporarily increase coal usage to control electricity prices.
"We talked to the generation companies, the coal-powered plants, to check how much they can increase their generation," Garin said, calling it a "temporary measure" that could start as early as April 1 as reported by AFP.
Coal already accounts for around 60 percent of the country's electricity, and officials are now looking to maximise local production. The government is also considering increasing coal imports from Indonesia, though Garin said there are currently "no restrictions" on such purchases.
The Philippines is heavily dependent on imported fuel, making it vulnerable to global disruptions. Rising prices of liquefied natural gas (LNG) have added to the pressure, forcing authorities to explore alternative solutions.
Despite the current challenges, there is some hope for the future. In January, President Marcos announced a significant natural gas discovery near the Malampaya offshore field, which supplies a large share of power to Luzon. This discovery could help extend the field's life, which was expected to run out in the coming years.
Officials stressed that increasing reliance on coal is only a temporary measure. The goal is to stabilise electricity costs and ensure uninterrupted power supply during the crisis.
"If we are successful in implementing this, at least we can decrease the electricity rate hikes because of the conflict in the Middle East," Garin said, underlining the government's focus on protecting consumers from rising energy costs.
(With AFP Inputs)
