Metro Manila, Philippines – Any suspension of the fuel excise tax can only take effect by the second week of April at the earliest, a Finance official said, citing the required 15-day publication period before implementation.

During a Senate hearing on Thursday, March 26, Undersecretary Karlo Adriano said the suspension may already be triggered after average Dubai crude prices exceeded $80 per barrel for a month.

Aanother requirement is a recommendation from the policymaking Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC), which is scheduled to meet on Friday, March 27.

“Now, in terms of the timeline, kasi may fifteen days pa na publication and effectivity,” Adriano said.

“So, the earliest that the president can issue the EO is around April 12 or 13, if I’m not mistaken with my numbers,” he added.

Adriano assured lawmakers that the DBCC would be able to submit its recommendation in time for implementation once the measure takes effect.

It remains unclear whether the DBCC will recommend a reduction or a full suspension of the excise tax, which currently stands at ₱11.30 per liter for gasoline and ₱6.72 per liter for diesel.

“Kami nagmadali kami para mapasa iyang batas na iyan. Sana madaliin niyo rin yung pag-implement,” Senator Bam Aquino said.

It was the second hearing of the Senate ad hoc committee known as PROTECT (Proactive Response and Oversight for Timely and Effective Crisis Strategy), which is looking into the government response to the Middle East crisis.

An even bigger problem is the dreaded possibility of a fuel shortage with oil companies admitting they only have supplies until April or May.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, committee chairman, stressed the need to conduct government to government negotiations to secure supply commitments.