Marcos Declares National Energy Emergency as Fuel Prices Skyrocket

​MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has officially declared a state of national energy emergency, signing Executive Order No. 110 on Tuesday to combat a looming power and fuel crisis triggered by escalating hostilities in the Middle East.

​The directive comes as the country reels from a third consecutive week of “mega” fuel price hikes, with diesel prices at some pumps breaching the ₱130 per liter mark. The declaration marks the Philippines as the first nation to take such drastic formal action in response to the current regional conflict, which has seen critical oil shipping lanes like the Strait of Hormuz disrupted.

​Central to the emergency declaration is the activation of the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT). This “whole-of-government” strategy aims to:

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​1.Stabilize Supplies: Ensure the orderly distribution of fuel, food, and medicines.

2.Protect Key Sectors: Provide targeted relief to the transport and agricultural industries, as well as micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

3.Energy Conservation: Empower the Department of Energy (DOE) to implement mandatory energy allocation plans to prevent supplies from hitting “critically low” levels.

​”A state of national energy emergency is hereby declared in light of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the resulting imminent danger posed upon the availability and stability of the country’s energy supply,” the Executive Order stated.

​Economic Impact and Vulnerability

​The Philippines remains highly susceptible to global oil volatility, importing nearly 26% of its energy requirements from the Middle East. With crude oil prices surging to multi-year highs following recent strikes in the Gulf, economists warn of a significant inflationary ripple effect on basic commodities and public services.

​The President will personally chair the UPLIFT Committee, joined by heads of the Departments of Energy, Agriculture, and Finance, to monitor price gouging and ensure the continuity of essential public healthcare and transportation services.