President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of national energy emergency on Tuesday, March 24, as rising global oil prices and escalating tensions in the Middle East threaten the country’s fuel supply.
Through Executive Order No. 110, Marcos warned of an “imminent danger” to the availability and stability of energy, prompting the government to roll out urgent and coordinated measures to protect the economy.
The declaration will stay in effect for up to one year unless Marcos lifts or extends it earlier.
Marcos also directed the implementation of the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) and created the UPLIFT Committee, which he will chair.
The committee will secure domestic energy supply, keep essential services running, sustain economic activity, and support vulnerable sectors affected by rising fuel costs.
Key Cabinet officials will sit as members of the committee, including the secretaries of energy, transportation, social welfare, agriculture, finance, budget, and economic planning. The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development will serve as the committee’s secretariat.
The government moved as tensions intensified in the Middle East following attacks involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. These attacks struck civilian infrastructure and major oil and gas facilities, tightening global supply.
Iran has also restricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint that carries more than 20 million barrels of oil and gas daily, raising concerns over prolonged supply disruptions and continued fuel price increases worldwide.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.