The Philippine government must pursue long-term solutions to cut back the country’s dependence on fossil fuels, as global oil price surges proceed to weigh on Filipino consumers, in accordance with Oxfam Pilipinas on Friday.
The decision comes after Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. declared a state of national energy emergency last Tuesday in response to rising oil prices linked to escalating tensions within the Middle East.
“Oxfam Pilipinas believes that while the chief order provides a mandate to answer disruptions in the worldwide energy supply and its impacts on the domestic economy, the federal government must consider long-term solutions to transition away from fossil fuel dependence and speed up the renewable energy (RE) transition,” Maria Rosario “Lot” Felizco, executive director of Oxfam Pilipinas said in a statment.
The group also urged the federal government to deal with the country’s reliance on imported, privately owned oil, warning that buyers proceed to bear the brunt of price volatility.
It also highlighted the necessity to maximize indigenous RE sources and modernize the ability grid as a part of a long-term strategy.
“We face a polycrisis of increased inequality, climate impacts, and an energy crisis. The national energy emergency must ensure energy solutions are 1.5°C-aligned and supply safeguards for Filipinos now and in the longer term,” Ms. Felizco said.
Oxfam Pilipinas also called for a direct end to the continuing Middle East conflict, citing its catastrophic impact on civilians, including Palestinians in Gaza.
Meanwhile, the Department of Energy (DoE) said one other round of price adjustments will take effect for the week of March 24 to 30, with gasoline products (RON 97, 95, and 91) increasing by P8.00 to P12.00 per liter, diesel and diesel plus by P15.00 to P18.00 per liter, and kerosene by P12.00 to P22.00 per liter.
Following these adjustments, the estimated pump price range for Metro Manila and other highly urbanized areas shall be: P87.69 to P112.40 per liter for RON 97, P83.10 to P109.78 for RON 95, P82.60 to P102.50 for RON 91, P107.00 to P134.30 for diesel, P114.99 to P144.20 for diesel plus, and P111.99 to P165.79 for kerosene. — Edg Adrian A. Eva