AS TENSIONS escalate in the Middle East, the Philippines – thousands of kilometers away from the conflict – finds itself grappling with a familiar but deepening crisis: rising oil prices and disrupted labor flows.
Government officials warn that the consequences are no longer confined to fuel costs; instead, they are cascading across sectors, affecting transport systems, electricity prices, employment, and daily life in institutions.
In a forum held at the Manila Hotel on Wednesday, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Nicolas Torre said the government was preparing for the downstream effects of a possible “power crisis.”
“Dahil ang kuryente maaapektuhan nitong oil crisis na ito, pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bunker fuel, diesel, talaga namang tataas ang presyo ng kuryente,” he said.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier ordered government offices to implement power-saving measures as part of measures to address surges in global oil prices due to tensions in the Middle East.
To mitigate the impact, the MMDA has began promoting “active mobility,” encouraging walking and biking, as a practical response to rising transport costs.
Torre said that the Department of Energy and MMDA were eyeing renewable energy sources to alleviate spikes in oil prices.
“[A]ng concrete steps natin is partnering with Meralco on the deployment of solar panels in strategic areas, open areas, in Metro Manila,” Torres said.
During the Renewable Energy Investment Forum held in February, the DOE set a goal to produce 25 gigawatts from renewable energy sources by 2035. The energy department targets a 50 percent reliance on renewable energy by 2040.
The MMDA chief said solar panels would be installed on the roofs of waiting sheds, while walkways in development were being designed to eventually accommodate solar installations.
According to Torre, initiatives to lobby for green energy would be complemented by efforts to promote urban mobility.
The MMDA recently opened a shower facility for active mobility users–commuters who walk or cycle to their work–in Pasig City, with four shower rooms.
“[Ang shower facility] sa corner ng Doña Julia Vargas Avenue and Meralco Avenue ay para sa ating mga kababayan na nandyan sa Ortigas Business Center na nagba-bike at nag-walk to work,” said Torres.
Although bike-to-work saw a decline in the fourth quarter of the previous year, Metro Manila still recorded the highest volume of cyclists, with Quezon City leading at an average of 19,232 cyclists a day, followed by Taguig with 16,607 cyclists.
Oil crisis
The surge in fuel prices has raised the likelihood of transport strikes and reduced public utility operations, placing pressure on commuters, including students who rely on daily travel to attend classes.
Transport group Piston announced a nationwide strike starting March 19 due to the recent price hikes.
The provisional fare hike for traditional and modern jeepneys was supposed to take effect alongside the transport strike, but President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. suspended its implementation.
“In my view, since we are still facing challenges due to the conflict in the Middle East, I said that this may not be the right time to increase the fares for our people,” Marcos said in a statement.
On Feb. 28, joint United States and Israeli forces bombed the Iranian military and government leadership and key infrastructure over alleged nuclear weapons development and Iran’s threat to its surrounding region.
The conflict has reached the Hormuz Strait, where a quarter of the world’s seaborne oil trade passes. Ships from the countries linked to the United States or Israel were barred from entering the chokepoint, which resulted in oil price hikes.
Local retailers have imposed a price surge of at least P20 per liter for diesel and P12 per liter for gasoline. Three weeks ago, diesel prices rose by P1.2 per liter, while gasoline prices rose by P0.6 per liter.
Several universities have suspended onsite classes due to the transport strike on March 19. On the same day, De La Salle University announced that work arrangements would shift to a four-day work-from-home and one-day onsite setup from April 16 to May 2, as part of its “efforts to conserve energy amid ongoing oil supply issues.”
The University shifted to enriched virtual mode of instruction for March 19, prompting the rescheduling of some preliminary exams.
UST Faculty Union president Emerito Gonzales earlier proposed shifting to online classes for the remaining academic year, which drew backlash from some union members.
The oil crisis has led to alleged profiteering by local oil and gas companies.
Cases of unauthorized price hikes on petrol products have led to arrests in Nueva Vizcaya and Eastern Samar, according to Philippine National Police Public (PNP) Information Office Chief Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño. These retailers have been charged with profiteering.
The PNP, in collaboration with the DOE, is mandated to monitor retailers that do not sell petrol products and those that impose unregulated price hikes.
Amid all the petrol price hikes, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin claimed the country was not facing an oil shortage, citing adequate fuel supply.
