The Philippine Government Announces an Energy Emergency Due to the Middle East Conflict

Long lines at a gas station in the Manila area, Philippines, this March. Transport workers in the Philippines are calling for mass protests this week over fuel prices. (PNA)

JAKARTA - The Philippine government on Tuesday became the first country to officially declare a national state of emergency due to global energy supply chain disruptions following the conflict in the Middle East region.

According to a GMA News report, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed an executive order formally imposing a state of emergency and activating a national response to restore energy supply stability and prevent economic impacts from rising fuel prices.

One of the steps taken by the Philippine government to address the energy emergency is to launch the "UPLIFT" program, which is a comprehensive support framework for people's lives, industry, food, and transportation.

This step is aimed at helping important sectors including transportation, agriculture, and MSMEs.

Local officials said the emergency declaration gave the green light for the implementation of a comprehensive approach at the central government level.

Thus, local authorities can more effectively mobilize resources, regulate fuel distribution, and implement targeted assistance programs for affected groups.

The Philippines imports almost 26 percent of its national energy needs from the Timteng region, with a total budget spent on Timteng energy in 2024 reaching 16 billion US dollars.

Tensions in the Persian Gulf have escalated since Israel and the US launched a joint attack on Iran on February 28, which has so far reportedly killed around 1,340 people, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran then retaliated for the military aggression by launching drone and missile attacks targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, as well as the Gulf countries where US military assets are located.

Tehran has also taken control of the Strait of Hormuz, a shipping lane vital to global oil supplies, with most energy supplies to Asian countries passing through the region.