Philippines Declares National Energy Emergency: Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Activates Urgent Measures in Response to the Blockade of the Strait of Hormuz Caused by the Middle East Conflict

 Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order No. 110 this Tuesday, declaring a state of national energy emergency in light of the “imminent danger” that the Middle East conflict and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz represent for the availability and stability of the country’s energy supply.

With this measure, the Philippines becomes the first country in the world to adopt a response of this magnitude directly linked to the disruptions caused by the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran that began on February 28, 2026.

The executive order, released by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), authorizes the Government to implement coordinated measures under existing laws to address disruptions in global supply chains.

Among the specific actions is the activation of the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT), a comprehensive response framework that will allow the Executive branch led by Marcos Jr. to ensure the timely acquisition of fuel and petroleum products, including advance payments if necessary, and to secure the orderly distribution of essential goods such as fuel, food, and medicines.

The emergency will have an initial duration of one year. The Philippines imports between 95% and 98% of its crude oil from the Middle East, and the Strait of Hormuz — through which approximately one fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied gas passes — is the critical route for those shipments.

BBM VLOG 279: Oil Supply CrisisIn the midst of the war in the Middle East, we are ensuring an adequate supply of oil and electricity, while closely monitoring the prices of basic goods.There is assistance available for our drivers, workers, farmers, and fisherfolk. We also continue to facilitate the safe return and provide care for our fellow Filipinos overseas.The government is here — acting swiftly, taking concrete action, and ready to support every Filipino.

Since the beginning of the conflict, Iran has blocked passage, generating shortages, extreme volatility in international prices, and upward pressures that are already translating into increases of up to tens of pesos per liter in gasoline, diesel, and kerosene.

Official sources have warned that the country has reserves equivalent to only around 45 days of fuel in some scenarios, which necessitates immediate action.

This declaration does not come out of nowhere. Since early March, the Government had already imposed austerity measures: a four-day workweek in public offices, a 10-20% reduction in electricity and fuel consumption, limits on air conditioning use, and a ban on non-essential travel.

Now, with the formal emergency, a contingency committee presided over by Marcos Jr. himself is being created to coordinate the response of the entire Cabinet and to protect the economy, transportation, and the most vulnerable sectors such as fishermen, farmers, and tricycle drivers, to whom subsidies and cash assistance have already been provided.

From a conservative perspective, this episode highlights the vulnerability generated by excessive dependence on unstable foreign energy sources and underscores the urgent need to prioritize national energy security.

While Asian nations — all of them net importers — suffer the consequences of a conflict that has paralyzed vital maritime routes, the Philippines demonstrates with facts that decisive and pragmatic leadership can activate existing legal tools to protect its people without waiting for the crisis to worsen.

Trump Claims the War Against Iran Is Over After Annihilating Its Navy, Air Force, and Communications; Now Evaluating Taking Control of the Strait of Hormuz