Palace cites public-private efforts to mitigate energy crisis

Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!

Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.

Visit Suniway.ph to learn

March 30, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday acknowledged the ongoing efforts of local government units (LGUs) and the private sector to help the country in mitigating the effects of the Middle East crisis, especially on the vulnerable sectors.

In a statement, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto listed down the initiatives of private companies and LGUs to cushion the impact of the soaring oil prices on Filipinos – from increasing the country’s fuel supply, to providing free transportation and deferring price increases.

Recto noted that a “synergy of public-private efforts” ordered by President Marcos is “bearing fruits that guarantee energy security for the nation as it bears the brunt of a crisis not of its own making.”

He cited Petron’s commitment to secure “tirelessly” both traditional and alternative sources to keep the fuel supply stable, saying it should be a source of calm and comfort.

Recto said the quick arrival of Russian oil was an agility exemplified during these uncertain times.

Meanwhile, the executive secretary said the “oil diplomacy” conducted by energy officials led by Secretary Sharon Garin has resulted in the firm order of 1.04 million barrels of diesel, with the first batch arriving this week. From Indonesia also comes the ironclad guarantee of a steady supply of coal, Recto added.

He likewise cited the new wells of Malampaya that would go on stream by the last quarter of this year to further boost energy security.

“Believing that these gains will be sustained, we fully back the efforts of Petron, SEAOIL, other oil companies, the DOE (Department of Energy), and PNOC (Philippine National Oil Co.) to keep the supply lines flowing so the economy is powered up, the country running and our lives minimally disrupted,” Recto said.

“But these upstream gains, if not felt below, by the people, will all be for naught,” Recto said.

He said the government is stepping up its fuel discount programs for a quarter-of-a-million drivers of all types of public transport.

 “Farmers and fishermen, who are users of motorized equipment, will receive assistance soon,” he said.

Recto likewise cited the government’s energy conservation program.

He said the shift to “econ mode” extends to the country’s hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ leaders summit this year.

“We have pared down activities to the most urgent. We have trimmed down costs across the board. Pomp and pageantry will now give way to problem solving,” he said.

The law recently signed by Marcos granting him the authority to reduce or suspend the excise tax on petroleum products adds an instrument in the government’s toolkit to blunt the impact of the rising prices of fuel, Recto said.

“As we do these, we commend businesses that have deferred price increases as an act of solidarity with the public, commendably placing patriotism before profits,” he said.

“We also note with appreciation the City of Manila’s enterprising and inspiring move to fully subsidize the operations of thousands of jeepneys so they can ferry passengers for free,” Recto said.

“And long before the oil price shocks, other cities, notably Quezon City, have deployed buses that offer free rides, and these, we note with thanks, have now been expanded,” he added.

Recto said these are examples of damayan – a Filipino word referring to the act of assisting someone in times of need – that would help the people “ride out together the economic disruptions, not of our making, but are hitting us hard.”