Metro Manila, Philippines – The Department of Energy said the government is exploring fuel procurement deals with other countries but noted that current supply levels and storage capacity limit the need for additional purchases.
“We have explored it. We’ve been talking to many countries from America, Asia, ASEAN, and other parts of the world,” Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said in a virtual briefing on Monday, May 4.
The DOE said government-to-government procurement remains an option to strengthen supply buffers, particularly during periods of global uncertainty.
“So it’s an option that we leave open,” Garin said.
At present, however, the agency said fuel supply is sufficient.
“As of today, however, mga 150 million liters na ang nabili natin ng diesel,” she said.
[Translation: As of today, we have already procured around 150 million liters of diesel.]
The DOE said additional procurement is not immediately necessary due to adequate inventory and logistical constraints.
“Hindi pa kailangan ngayon mag-order ulit. Dahil, one thing is, there’s already enough supply,” the official said.
[Translation: There is no need to order again for now because there is already enough supply.]
The agency said storage capacity is also a limiting factor.
The DOE said future government-to-government deals could be pursued once conditions permit, particularly to build strategic reserves.
“There could be government-to-government deals in the future to make sure that our country has enough buffer,” Garin said.
Senator Imee Marcos has urged the government to aggressively pursue direct government-to-government oil procurement as a key strategy to cushion the impact of the ongoing global oil shock, criticizing the administration’s passive response two months into the crisis triggered by the US-Iran conflict.
