Philippines declares national energy emergency citing Middle East war fuel supply risk

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos signed an executive order declaring a 'national energy emergency' on Day 25, citing the Middle East conflict's threat to the Philippines' fuel supply and energy stability. '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 order states. The declaration was issued hours after the energy secretary announced plans to boost coal-fired power output to offset the war's disruption to gas shipments. The order authorizes the Department of Energy to make advance payments of 15% to secure fuel contracts, take direct action against hoarding and profiteering, fast-track aid to individuals in crisis, reduce toll charges and aviation fees, and direct transportation fuel subsidies. The Philippines is heavily dependent on imported fuel and carries some of the highest energy costs in the Asia-Pacific region. The declaration is one of the first formal national emergencies outside the conflict zone directly triggered by the war, signaling that the conflict's economic shockwaves are now reaching Southeast Asia.