Senator Imee Marcos on Tuesday raised concerns over the country’s actual fuel supply situation, questioning the government’s level of preparedness despite the declaration of a national energy emergency by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Citing the prolonged Middle East conflict and rising fuel prices, Marcos called for greater transparency from authorities.
“Sa wakas, inamin na ng admin na hindi na normal ang nangyayari, ngunit ano ba talaga ang maaasahan natin sa gobyerno?” she said.
She urged the government to disclose the true state of fuel supply and to convene key industry players, including importers, refineries, and fuel retailers.
“Ano ba ang tunay na sitwasyon natin? Pinulong na ba ang mga importer, oil refinery, mga grupo ng gasolinahan at LPG station? Dapat isapubliko ang tunay na lagay ng suplay upang mapagtulungan ang problema,” she added.
Marcos also questioned whether the Philippines has actively sought assistance from neighboring countries, pointing to reports of fuel shipments from Brunei to Davao.
“Kanino ba tayo nakikipag-usap? Nakisuyo na ba tayo sa Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia pati sa China, India at Russia? Meron ba talagang plano ang pamahalaan o puro ayuda na lang ang ibibigay nila sa tao?” she asked.
The senator suggested negotiating with regional partners for crude imports and cited measures implemented by other countries, such as fuel rationing and odd-even schemes in Myanmar, the revival of an oil price stabilization fund in Vietnam, and subsidies and price caps in Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
She also called on agencies like the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) to take a more active role in addressing the situation.
“Meron ng price cap at subsidy ang Singapore, Indonesia at Malaysia, eh tayo? Panahon na para kumilos. Huwag na nating dagdagan at patagalin ang paghihirap ng mga ordinaryong Pilipino,” Marcos said.