The Department of Energy (DOE) announced the arrival of 142,000 barrels of diesel in Luzon on Thursday, March 26, 2026, as the first delivery under the Emergency Energy Security Program. Energy Secretary Sharon Garin described it as the result of government efforts to bolster fuel supplies. However, calculations based on DOE data indicate it covers less than one day's diesel demand.
On Thursday, March 26, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced the arrival of 22.5 million liters, or 142,000 barrels, of diesel at a port in Luzon. "Andito na! Government-procured diesel has arrived in Luzon. This is the first delivery and there will be more deliveries in the coming days or weeks," Energy Secretary Sharon Garin posted on Facebook, reposted by the DOE.
She added, "We’ve been working on this for three weeks, so to me, it looks like the most beautiful ship ever."
This marks the first shipment under the government's Emergency Energy Security Program, facilitated by the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) and PNOC Exploration Corporation, which negotiated for 1 million barrels of oil.
On Friday, March 27, Garin credited the delivery to efforts by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Petron CEO Ramon Ang. Marcos stated that crude oil supplies would last until June 30, 2026.
DOE data for 2024 shows daily diesel demand at 201,927 barrels, meaning the 142,000 barrels covers less than one day, according to economist JC Punongbayan. Ang assured that Petron, with a 27.8% market share, can supply until June 30 at minimum.
The number of temporarily closed gas stations rose to 425 as of March 27, from 387, per the Philippine National Police.
