On March 24, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order (EO) No. 110, declaring a state of national energy emergency amid the Middle East conflict. The EO enacts the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) to secure the supply of fuel, food, medicines, and agricultural products, supporting transportation, agriculture, and MSMEs. It will remain in effect for one year, allowing the government to procure fuel and stabilize prices as needed.
EO No. 110 mandates a multi-agency response to stabilize the national energy supply and protect the public from global market disruptions. While the Department of Energy (DOE) is authorized to implement measures to ensure energy adequacy, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is specifically tasked with mitigating the crisis’ impact on the transport sector through financial support and service expansion.
This includes the allocation of fuel and commuter fare subsidies, the implementation of the Libreng Sakay program, and the extension of LRT and MRT operating hours. The directive also seeks to lower overall transit costs in coordination with agencies such as the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
This effort also emphasizes cutting administrative red tape and accelerating a long-term transition toward renewable energy and electric vehicles to reduce petroleum dependency.
On the other hand, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is tasked with the disbursement of Assistance of Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) relief and livelihood assistance to marginalized groups, including transport workers, farmers, and repatriated OFWs.
Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is charged with monitoring market prices to prevent unreasonable hikes while providing MSMEs with technical support to adopt energy-efficient solutions. The Department of Agriculture (DA) utilizes its Quick Response Fund and Presidential Assistance programs to maintain food security and ensure the availability and affordability of agricultural products.
Supply and price status
Despite these measures, energy officials maintain that the situation remains manageable. On March 24, Philippine Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said in a news briefing that the country’s fuel reserves stood at 23 days for LPG, jet fuel at 38 days, diesel at 45 days, gasoline at 53 days, fuel oil at 61 days, and kerosene at 97 days.
“We met with the Indonesian ambassador, and we got Indonesia to assure us of our steady supply of coal,” she said. The Philippines has also engaged in discussions with South Korea, India, Japan, and China to increase fuel inventory. However, she urged both the public and private sectors to conserve fuel and avoid profiteering amid uncertainties in global supply.
While fuel reserves remain sufficient, the economic effects of the crisis are already being felt. In terms of prices, Garin informed that the price increase this week would range from ₱8 to ₱12 per liter for gasoline, ₱15 to ₱18 per liter for diesel, and ₱12 to ₱22 for kerosene.
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan warned that inflation could reach double-digit levels under a worst-case scenario, with diesel prices potentially increasing by as much as 176% if global crude prices hit $200 per barrel.
While EO 110 addresses immediate supply risks, it also exposes long-standing structural issues. The Philippine grid, with a dependable capacity of 27,927 megawatts (MW) against a peak demand of 19,000 MW, remains heavily reliant on inflexible coal-fired baseload plants and imported fuel.
This leaves consumers vulnerable to global price shifts and supply disruptions, driving up costs for electricity, transportation, and basic goods. The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) recommends shifting to a more flexible, renewable-based grid supported by storage technologies to improve reliability and long-term energy security.
Livelihood in crisis
Meanwhile, transport and commuter groups staged a nationwide strike along Aurora Boulevard in Cubao, Quezon City, on March 26 to protest rising fuel prices and call for the repeal of energy taxes.
Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide’s (PISTON) President Mody Floranda said their demands remain unmet despite earlier demonstrations, describing government subsidies as band-aid solutions that fail to address the crisis in the long term.
PARA Commuters Network convener Nanoy Rafael also pointed out that removing VAT and excise taxes could significantly increase drivers’ income.
For many drivers, however, the crisis is already deeply personal. “Nakakaiyak lang po. Wala na po kaming makapitan. Wala nang tumutulong, walang mautangan… Sana makakuha kami kahit na pang-krudo man lang para makapagtrabaho kami,” Jaime Ricafrente, a 72-year-old jeepney driver who has been driving for 37 years, said in an interview with DZRH News.
He later emphasized in an interview with GMA News that temporary aid is not enough. “Ayaw po namin ng ayuda, hanapbuhay po ang kailangan namin.” He also questioned how long financial aid could sustain people amid the ongoing war, stressing that the situation is no longer a joke as many risk losing their jobs.
However, Ricafrente’s case is only one among many. Numerous drivers continue to struggle with accessing government assistance, often navigating a system burdened with multiple requirements (from securing photocopies of original documents to processing papers across different offices) and their concerns often going unaddressed.
The current energy crisis is a pressing national concern that directly affects livelihoods, prices, and economic stability. While EO No. 110 and short-term interventions may cushion immediate impacts, they do little to resolve the country’s deep-rooted dependence on imported energy. Without sustained action toward long-term solutions, the Philippines remains vulnerable to recurring energy crises. What is needed now is not temporary relief, but a strategic shift that ensures lasting energy security and protects the most affected sectors.
