manilastandard.net
@ManilaStandardPH
@mnlstandardph
@manilastandard
@ManilaStandardYT
Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circulation@manilastandard.net . For advertisement: email: advertise@manilastandard.net •09173382170 / 85646229
Iran fires missile barrage at Israel, denies Trump talks IRAN fired a fresh broadside of missiles at Israel Tuesday, causing damage and injuries in Tel Aviv, as uncertainty swirled over possible talks to end the three-week Middle East war. Next page
INSIDE 3RD ANNIVERSARY ISSUE
ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY SECTION C, D & E VOL. XL • NO. 43 • 5 SECTIONS 24 PAGES • P20 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2026 •
Marcos declares state of ‘energy emergency’ EO 110 forms UPLIFT panel to coordinate gov’t response
P20b to buy 2m barrels of diesel By Alena Mae Flores, Ram Superable, and Joel Zurbano THE government is allocating up to P20 billion to build a diesel buffer stock as it moves to cushion the impact of supply disruptions and rising global oil prices triggered by the ongoing Middle East crisis, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said Tuesday. However, the Department of Energy said diesel prices could reach as high as P144.20 per liter this week, with increases ranging from P15 to P18 per liter. Gasoline prices are projected to rise by P8 to P12 per liter, bringing Next page
By Charles Dantes, Ram Superable, and Maricel V. Cruz
P
RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday declared a state of national energy emergency, creating an “UPLIFT” committee to coordinate the government’s response to the fuel crisis and mitigate the impact of the Middle East conflict on the country. Marcos signed Executive Order No. 110, citing heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as threats to the Philippines’ fuel supply and energy stability. The declaration came as lawmakers expressed support for emergency measures during a Senate hearing of the Proactive Response and Oversight for Timely and Effective Crisis Strategy (PROTECT) committee, convened to address rising fuel prices and supply uncertainty linked to the Middle East conflict. Meanwhile, Congress moved to support emergency powers and fasttrack legislation to cushion the impact of surging oil prices, transmitting Senate Bill 1982 to the President last night for his signature. However, other officials acknowledged that the government’s ability to directly control fuel prices remains limited. DOE Oil Industry Management Bureau Director Rino Abad said the Oil Deregulation Law of 1998 transferred pricing control to private oil companies, leaving the government to monitor prices and request staggered adjustments. Oil firms have raised pump prices for the 10th consecutive week, driven largely by supply disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict, prompting lawmakers to call for urgent intervention.
ENERGY EMERGENCY.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signs Executive Order No. 110 declaring a State of National Energy Emergency and adopting the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT), activating a wholeof-government response to ensure energy supply stability, support key sectors such as transport, agriculture, and MSMEs, and protect Filipinos amid global oil supply disruptions. At top right, jeepney driver Eric Helera (center) collects fares from passengers while plying his route in Manila on March 23, 2026. Drivers of Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS), bottom right, receive ₱5,000 in cash assistance from the government as fuel prices rise on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Quezon City. At left, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Melquiades Robles lead the distribution of 1,500 ChariTimba to beneficiaries during the LAB for All Caravan at the Santa Rosa Multipurpose Complex, Laguna. PCO, Ted Aljibe, Manny Palmero, PCSO
Next page
PH faces steep prices for agri products if ME war persists By Othel V. Campos THE Philippines could face steep price hikes and production losses across key agricultural commodities if global crises persist, according to Agriculture Undersecretary U-Nichols Manalo “We are closely monitoring the prices of our basic commodities, including fertilizers, and the supply of food and agricultural products relative to projected impacts,” Manalo said on Tuesday during a Senate committee hearing on the Proactive Response and Oversight for Timely and Effective Crisis Strategy (PROTECT). In a worst-case scenario, lasting 180 days with major damage to Middle East oil infrastructure and oil prices at $200 per barrel, Manalo said retail prices of essential food items are expected to surge. Next page
PBBM rolls out nationwide fuel subsidy program ‘Futile to defend By Charles Dantes and Darwin G. Amojelar PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday rolled out the nationwide fuel subsidy program for public utility vehicles (PUVs) in a bid to cushion the impact of volatile global oil prices on commuters and transport operators. Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said it will
• DOTr freezes air, sea port fees • Tankers, cargo trucks exempt from coding • Free shuttle rides during transport strike
reduce airport and seaport terminal fees starting next month to help passengers and airlines absorb the impact of skyrocketing fuel prices. In a related development, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced that fuel tankers and vehicles transporting essential goods are now exempt from the truck ban and the number coding scheme. Next page
House opens VP Sara impeachment hearings today By Maricel V. Cruz THE House Committee on Justice will open the hearing proper on the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday, marking a critical turning point as proceedings formally move toward
the presentation of evidence and witnesses. The Vice President has received the invitation to attend the hearing, but her camp has yet to confirm whether she will appear. Her defense team earlier said there is no requirement under existing rules
for her to personally attend, adding that any decision will depend on her rights and legal advice. The committee, chaired by Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro, will convene at 10:00 a.m. at the People’s Center, House of Representatives, Next page
PH peso against surging US dollar’
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said it would be “futile” to use the Philippines’ foreign reserves to prop up the peso against the US dollar, stressing the need to “redraw” the country’s economic plan to meet its growth target by 2028. “I think it would even be futile to try to spend all our foreign reserves on defending the peso,” Mr. Marcos told Bloomberg. In the Bloomberg piece, the President said: “We also recognize that there’s only so much you can do because the dollar is going to move the way it does." President Marcos made the remarks as the Philippine peso earlier weakened to the P60 level against the US dollar. Next page