The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday directed all local government units (LGUs) to ensure the unimpeded movement of fuel tankers nationwide to secure the domestic energy supply, even as a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran temporarily eases global market pressures.
Through a memorandum circular issued on May 5, the DILG ordered local chief executives to grant legitimate fuel tankers strict exemptions from truck bans, traffic coding schemes, and any other local transit restrictions that could cause delays in petroleum deliveries.
“Ensuring the uninterrupted movement of fuel supply is critical to sustaining economic activity and protecting the welfare of our people during this period of global energy disruption,” the DILG statement read.
SECURING DOMESTIC RESERVES
The directive directly supports a broader mandate by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who earlier issued Executive Order No. 110 declaring a state of national energy emergency following weeks of geopolitical conflict in the Middle East that crippled international supply chains.
The agency emphasized that local governments play a vital role in executing this “whole-of-government” strategy to maintain the steady flow of essential commodities.
“Local governments play a vital role in ensuring that essential goods such as fuel are delivered without delay. We count on your full cooperation,” the agency noted.
According to data compiled by the Department of Energy (DOE) as of May 1, the Philippines maintains a relatively stable cushion of petroleum products:
- Total Oil Supply: At least 53.71 days of combined reserves
- Gasoline: Estimated at 52.64 days
- Diesel: Estimated at 54.58 days
- Kerosene: Estimated at 166.67 days
MANDATORY COMPLIANCE
The DILG instructed regional and local offices to actively monitor compliance within their respective boundaries. The department further cautioned that any local officials or administrative units failing to strictly enforce the unhampered passage of these tankers may face formal disciplinary actions under the provisions of the Local Government Code of 1991.