Due to the Iran conflict, the Philippines declares an energy emergency.

 

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr warned of "imminent danger" to the country's fuel supplies (Image: Getty Images)

The Philippines has declared a state of national energy emergency, citing the "imminent danger" posed to the country's fuel supplies by the conflict in the Middle East.

 President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said he had signed an executive order to safeguard energy security amid severe disruption to global supply chains.

 Global energy markets have been rocked by the US-Israeli conflict with Iran and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route, resulting in skyrocketing prices and shortages. The Philippines is highly dependent on fuel imports and particularly vulnerable to disruptions in production and shipments.

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"A state of national energy emergency is hereby declared in light of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, and the resulting imminent danger posed upon the availability and stability of the country's energy supply," Marcos said in the executive order shared with media on Tuesday.

 Marcos said the move would allow the government to take "co-ordinated measures" to address disruptions in the country's economy.

 He added that a committee had been formed to ensure the orderly movement, supply, distribution and availability of fuel, food, medicines and other essential goods.

 The declaration will remain in place for one year, he said.

 It comes in response to calls from a number of senators who urged Marcos to acknowledge the "emergency-level" difficulties faced by families in the Philippines as a result of rising oil prices. Earlier on Tuesday, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the country had about 45 days of fuel supply left.

 In response to the rising costs of liquefied natural gas (LNG), Garin told reporters that the nation would "temporarily" rely more on coal-fired power plants to meet its energy needs. Asia is particularly vulnerable to the Strait of Hormuz blockade. Nearly ninety percent of all oil and gas transported through the waterway in the previous year was intended for the region.

Source: BBC