Marilyn Cahatol

Motorists line up at a gasoline station along Philcoa in Diliman, Quezon City on Friday, March 6, in a rush to refuel ahead of the expected fuel price increase next week. Long queues of cars and motorcycles formed as drivers tried to fill up before the anticipated hike in gasoline and diesel prices. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Motorists line up at a gasoline station along Philcoa in Diliman, Quezon City on Friday, March 6, in a rush to refuel ahead of the expected fuel price increase next week. Long queues of cars and motorcycles formed as drivers tried to fill up before the anticipated hike in gasoline and diesel prices.  Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

OIL PRICE HIKE

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177475841743720260306-oil-price-hike-refueling-MT9.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Motorists line up at a gasoline station along Philcoa in Diliman, Quezon City on Friday, March 6, in a rush to refuel ahead of the expected fuel price increase next week. Long queues of cars and motorcycles formed as drivers tried to fill up before the anticipated hike in gasoline and diesel prices. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News "/><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false" style="text-align:left">Motorists line up at a gasoline station along Philcoa in Diliman, Quezon City on Friday, March 6, in a rush to refuel ahead of the expected fuel price increase next week. Long queues of cars and motorcycles formed as drivers tried to fill up before the anticipated hike in gasoline and diesel prices.<em> Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Executive Secretary Ralph Recto on Sunday assured the public that the country has secure energy resources through the “synergy of public-private efforts,” amid the oil crisis caused by the Middle East conflict following the United States and Israel’s attack on Iran. </p><p>The conflict has led to supply disruptions from the oil-rich region that is also called West Asia.</p><p>“A synergy of public-private efforts ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is bearing fruits that guarantee energy security for the nation as it bears the brunt of a crisis not of its own making,” Recto said in a statement. </p><p>The executive secretary said the first batch of some one million barrels of diesel purchased by the Department of Energy is set to arrive this week. </p><p>This aside from the 700,000 barrels of <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/26/russian-oil-arrives-as-philippines-battles-energy-emergency-1147">Russian crude oil </a>that arrived in the Philippines last Monday, with documents showing Petron as consignee.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/26/gov-t-secures-22-5-million-liters-of-diesel-amid-state-of-energy-emergency-2219">Gov’t secures 22.5 million liters of diesel amid state of energy emergency</a></div><p>Recto said a “steady” supply of coal is also guaranteed from Indonesia. </p><p>He added that the new Malampaya wells, expected to go on stream by the fourth quarter of 2026, will further boost energy security.</p><p>Recto also noted on the fuel discount programs distributed to approximately 250,000 public transport drivers. </p><p>He vowed that farmers and fishermen will also receive assistance soon, “so that fuel price spikes will not trigger high food inflation.”</p><p>The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas previously said it is projecting an average of 5.1 percent inflation for 2026 due to the fuel price shocks. </p><div> </div><div><strong>ENERGY CONSERVATION </strong></div><p>Recto said the government has been monitoring state offices’ use of energy, ensuring they adhere to the state-wide energy conservation program. </p><p>Government offices’ vehicle use has been reduced, except for public safety and health services.</p><p>He said this policy extends to the Philippines’ hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit this year. </p><p>“We have pared down activities to the most urgent. We have trimmed down costs across the board,” Recto said. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/27/marcos-asean-summit-in-ph-to-push-through-bare-boned-1145">Marcos: ‘Bare-boned’ ASEAN Summit in May to focus on oil, food, migrant workers</a></div><div> </div><div><strong>PRIVATE, PUBLIC EFFORTS</strong></div><p>The public official lauded businesses that deferred price increases “as an act of solidarity with the public, commendably placing patriotism before profits.”</p><p>He also applauded local governments’ free ride initiatives, particularly Manila and Quezon City. </p><p>The Office of the President, Department of Transportation, Department of Energy, Philippine Coast Guard, and Philippine National Police and other government agencies also prepared free buses when the transport sector staged a two-day nationwide strike last week. </p><p>“These are examples of damayan that will help us ride out together the economic disruptions, not of our making, but are hitting us hard,” Recto said. </p><p>Marcos on Tuesday declared a <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/24/marcos-declares-state-of-national-energy-emergency-1927">state of national energy emergency</a>, saying that the ongoing unrest in the Middle East has posed an &quot;imminent danger… upon the availability and stability of the country&#x27;s energy supply.&quot;</p><p>The Philippine National Police reported Friday that 425 gas stations were forced to<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/27/425-gas-stations-temporarily-close-as-fuel-supply-runs-dry-1408"> temporarily suspend operations </a>after running out of fuel supply.  </p><div><a href="http://Temporary relief? Motorcycle taxi riders weigh impact of fuel subsidy amid price hikes">Temporary relief? Motorcycle taxi riders weigh impact of fuel subsidy amid price hikes</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Qko-mhaFwhM?si=_5FbuHnoDF-iq5EO" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Executive Secretary Ralph Recto on Sunday assured the country has secure energy resources through the “synergy of public-private efforts,” amid the oil crisis caused by the Middle East conflict following the United States and Israel’s attack on Iran.</p>

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto on Sunday assured the country has secure energy resources through the “synergy of public-private efforts,” amid the oil crisis caused by the Middle East conflict following the United States and Israel’s attack on Iran.

Recto highlights public-private efforts to address oil crisis

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Recto highlights public-private efforts to address oil crisis

Marilyn Cahatol,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 29, 2026 01:46 PM PHT

Read More:

oil ciris

energy security

Department of Energy

Ralph Recto

Executive Secretary

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