Amid the Soaring Fuel Prices in PH, Malacañang Says PH Got Sufficient Oil Supply
Malacañang press officer undersecretary Claire Castro asserted that there is currently no oil crisis in the Philippines.
As the war in the Middle East enters its fourth week, it has started affecting nations far beyond the immediate conflict among the United States, Israel, and Iran. The war sparked after Washington and Tel Aviv carried out joint airstrikes against Tehran which led to the death of several Iranians including their Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
U.S. Pres. Donald Trump explained that the airstrikes were supposedly meant to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The American President claimed that he stopped what could allegedly endanger the world. While he admitted that America profits significantly from its oil resources, he claimed that protecting the world from the destruction that Iran may allegedly cause is far more important.
For countries like the Philippines, the impact has been severe with regards to the oil supply of the country. The nation is heavily dependent on imported oil and the war has brought the soaring pump prices that challenges countless Filipinos. The fuel prices have already risen twice since the war began, and another increase is expected this week.
In response to public protests, Malacañang press office undersecretary Claire Castro previously emphasized that the series of oil price hikes is not the fault of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. nor the Philippine government. The Palace Official stressed that the Marcos Jr. administration is working to balance its support between the transport sector and commuters.
“Ang hiling lang natin ay pang-unawa at pagtitiwala sa mga desisyon ng gobyerno na binabalanse ang pagtulong sa mga mananakay at sa mga transportation sector,” the Palace official said.
Malacañang previously claimed that there’s no need for panic buying as the country has enough supply of food and the basic commodities. Pres. Bongbong Marcos also previously assured the Filipinos that the country has enough food and petroleum supply. According to him, there’s no need for hoarding and the country is already talking with other nations for oil resources.
“Nakikipag-usap na po tayo sa mga bansa na ating mga trade partner gaya ng India. Ngunit, sinasama na natin lahat ng mga iba at nilalapitan ang China, Japan, Thailand, Brunei, South Korea patungkol sa mga posibleng supply arrangement. Maganda naman ang naging usapan natin. Buti na lang at talagang kina-kaibigan natin sila at sila’y handang tumulong satin,” Marcos Jr. said.
Recently, Malacañang asserted that there is no oil crisis in the Philippines as of now citing the statement of Department of Energy Secretary Sharon Garin. Based on a post of News5, the statement of Palace press officer Usec. Claire Castro came amid the rising costs of petroleum in the country.
“‘Pag sinabi po nating oil crisis, maliwanag din po ang sinabi ni Sec. Garin na sa ngayon ay hindi pa ikinokonsidera na mayroon po tayong oil crisis dahil kumpleto po tayo at enough po ang supply ng langis,” the Malacañang press official said.
U.S. Pres. Donald Trump recently warned Iran that it will attack the energy facilities of the country if it won’t fully open the Strait of Hormuz in 48 hours. Recently, Iran responded to the threat of Trump over the Strait of Hormuz.