Energy Secretary Sharon Garin on Tuesday maintained that the Philippines is not yet officially in an oil crisis, even as the government ramps up efforts to manage potential disruptions in global energy supply.
In an online press briefing, Garin emphasized that authorities are already taking maximum precautions to prevent shortages.
“Whether you call it a crisis or not, we’re really doing like the maximum that we can do in order to make sure that we don’t run dry and then everybody, all our own companies are delivering what they’re supposed to deliver,” Garin said.
She added that the Department of Energy is treating the situation with urgency and intensity.
“Kasi talagang wala nang tulugan ito sa DOE kahit man tawagin niyo crisis or initial crisis,” she added.
According to the DOE, contingency measures are already in place, including close coordination with government agencies and fuel suppliers to ensure a stable energy supply amid ongoing global uncertainties.
Despite these assurances, some lawmakers are urging the government to formally declare a crisis to accelerate response efforts.
Senator Loren Legarda raised the issue during the first hearing of the Senate Committee on Proactive Response and Oversight for Timely and Effective Crisis Strategy.
“Let’s not get lost in translation or pretend that there’s no crisis. Until we define it as a crisis, we will not act in record time to save our people,” Legarda said.
The exchange highlights a growing divide between the executive branch’s cautious stance and lawmakers calling for stronger, more immediate measures as global energy tensions persist.