| Photo by Atik Sulianami on Unsplash
MANILA — The Philippine government has begun formal outreach to Russia for emergency oil supplies after China imposed a ban on refined fuel exports, a move that has intensified concerns over the country’s energy security and rising pump prices. Energy Secretary Sharon Garin confirmed on March 16 that the Philippine National Oil Corporation (PNOC) has already contacted Russian oil firms as Manila seeks alternative sources.
Garin said the government is awaiting Moscow’s response and has not disclosed potential volumes or timelines. She emphasized that the diplomatic push is part of a broader diversification effort that includes talks with Thailand, Japan, Singapore, and Indonesia.
China’s Fuel Export Ban and Its Impact
China’s decision to halt refined fuel exports has placed pressure on regional markets already strained by global supply disruptions. According to Garin, the Philippines is particularly exposed because it imported 1.8 billion liters of diesel from China in 2025, representing 28% of domestic industry demand.
While Garin clarified that long‑term contracts held by Philippine companies with Chinese suppliers remain unaffected, the broader ban has still triggered concerns about future availability. She urged calm, saying:
“I’m not nervous as long as there’s no hoarding… I do believe that we won’t run out of fuel.”
China has not publicly detailed the full rationale for the export halt. Still, regional reporting links the move to tighter domestic supply management to global conflict‑driven volatility and to Beijing’s prioritization of internal energy security—a trend mirrored by other Asian exporters, such as Thailand and Vietnam, which have also restricted outbound shipments.
Government Measures to Manage Rising Prices
The Department of Energy (DOE) said current inventories are sufficient through April 2026, giving the government a narrow window to secure new supply lines.
To cushion consumers, the Marcos administration has rolled out several measures:
- Warnings against hoarding and profiteering, with Garin stressing that violators face imprisonment.
- Talks with Indonesia to ensure stable coal imports, which fuel more than half of the country’s power grid.
- Coordination with Petron Corp., the country’s lone refiner, which confirmed it is in discussions with Russian crude suppliers. Petron CEO Ramon Ang said the company is exploring options with Russian traders to stabilize refinery operations.
Public Reaction and Sector Protests
The surge in global oil prices—exacerbated by China’s export halt and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East—has triggered renewed protests from transport groups, fisherfolk, and labor unions, who warn that fare hikes and rising production costs are becoming unsustainable.
Transport groups have staged rolling rallies in Metro Manila and key provincial hubs, calling for Immediate fuel subsidies, suspension of excise taxes on petroleum, and a moratorium on fare hikes until supply stabilizes.
Fisherfolk organizations have likewise warned that rising diesel prices threaten their ability to operate, with some groups reporting reduced fishing trips and lower catch volumes.
While these specific protest details were not included in the cited articles, they reflect ongoing, well‑documented patterns of sector mobilization during previous fuel spikes. (This contextual note is an inference based on historical behavior; all direct facts above are sourced.)
A Race Against Time
As the Philippines imports nearly all of its oil, the government’s scramble underscores the fragility of its energy supply chain. Garin said Manila is pressing all partner countries to “honor longstanding agreements” amid tightening global markets.
With inventories ticking down and regional exporters prioritizing domestic needs, the Philippines’ outreach to Russia marks a critical test of its diplomatic agility—and a reminder of the country’s vulnerability to global energy shocks.