The Department of Energy (DOE) announced on Monday, March 30, that it has successfully secured 1.042 million barrels of diesel, totaling 165,678,000 liters, to be delivered through the month of April. This strategic move serves as a cornerstone of the government’s decisive actions to reinforce the national fuel supply position as the global oil market continues to face volatility driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Executed under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. via Executive Order No. 110, the procurement is a key component of the DOE’s Emergency Energy Security Program. These deliveries, managed through the Philippine National Oil Company-Exploration Corporation (PNOC-EC), have been scheduled in phases to ensure that domestic availability remains stable during this period of heightened external market uncertainty.
The department attributed the successful acquisition of these volumes to sustained oil diplomacy led by the DOE and conducted in partnership with relevant government entities. According to officials, this whole-of-government approach has been instrumental in converting high-level diplomatic engagements into the concrete deliveries necessary to bolster fuel stocks in the coming weeks.
Logistics for the massive fuel injection are already underway, with the first shipment of 142,000 barrels, or 22,578,000 liters, arriving from Japan on March 26, 2026. The schedule for the remaining volume includes 300,000 barrels from Malaysia and Singapore in early April, followed by another 300,000 barrels from North Asia and India by mid-month. The final 300,000-barrel shipment from Oman and Singapore is expected by the end of April. Combined, these shipments complete the 1.042 million barrels intended to support essential sectors and shield the domestic market from external disruptions.
Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin emphasized that the phased arrival of these shipments illustrates the government’s forward-looking management of fuel supplies while international markets remain exposed to geopolitical risks.
“This is a concrete demonstration of the government’s resolve to act early, act decisively, and protect the national interest,” Secretary Garin said. “By securing these deliveries and scheduling their arrival through April, we are reinforcing domestic supply, supporting critical sectors, and helping ensure that the country remains responsive and resilient amid continued uncertainty in the global oil market.”
Secretary Garin further noted that the DOE will continue to utilize international diplomacy and close coordination with other government agencies to monitor the domestic market. She stated that these efforts are aimed at preserving fuel availability and cushioning the Philippine economy against external supply shocks.
As a net importer of petroleum products, the Philippines remains particularly vulnerable to global developments that impact both price and supply. The DOE underscored that the government is moving with urgency to maintain orderly market conditions and safeguard consumer welfare. The department is currently coordinating with industry stakeholders to monitor inventory levels and facilitate the timely distribution of these incoming volumes to prevent bottlenecks in transport, logistics, and power generation.|
