President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has urged Asian nations to strengthen regional cooperation in addressing the ongoing energy crisis, warning that no country can withstand global supply disruptions on its own.
Speaking at the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Plus Online Summit on Wednesday, April 15, Marcos emphasized that the current crisis has exposed shared vulnerabilities across economies in the region.
“No single country in Asia can insulate itself from supply chain shocks of this scale by acting alone,” he said.
The President cited disruptions in global oil supply chains, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, as a key factor driving price volatility and inflation, with direct effects on the Philippines.
“When global supply chains are disrupted… the effects arrive at our shores very swiftly and are felt severely,” Marcos said, noting increases in diesel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices.
He warned that the crisis is putting pressure on transport, logistics, food supply, and manufacturing sectors, while disproportionately affecting vulnerable households through rising import costs.
To mitigate the impact, the government has declared a State of National Energy Emergency and rolled out the UPLIFT program, which includes fuel optimization measures, stricter enforcement against hoarding, and targeted assistance for affected sectors.
Marcos, however, stressed that domestic interventions alone are not enough.
“These are necessary measures. They are, however, not sufficient on their own,” he said, urging stronger regional coordination to address broader energy challenges.