STORY: :: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declares a state of national energy emergency amid the Middle East conflict
:: Manila, Philippines / March 19, 2026
:: Marcos said the move was in response to the 'imminent danger' posed to the country's energy supply
:: March 9, 2026
Marcos said a committee has been formed to ensure the orderly movement, supply, distribution and availability of fuel, food, medicines, agricultural products and other essential goods.
In an executive order shared with the media, Marcos said the conflict had created uncertainty in global energy markets, severe supply-chain disruption and significant volatility and upward pressure on international oil prices, "thereby posing a threat to the country's energy security."
Transport workers, commuters and consumer groups are planning a two-day strike from Thursday (March 26) to protest the increase in fuel prices and what they describe as the Marcos administration's failure to act.
The Philippines imports nearly all of its crude oil from the Middle East. It has been scrambling to deal with rising prices triggered by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.
