Gatchalian Urges DOE to Create Energy Task Force Amid Middle East Tensions

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has called on the Department of Energy (DOE) to immediately establish an energy task force to shield the country from the worsening impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Gatchalian stressed the need for proactive and coordinated measures to address potential disruptions in global oil supply and prevent extreme volatility in domestic fuel prices. He said the government must move beyond a reactive stance and instead prepare for the possibility of prolonged instability in the global energy market.

“The government should not wait for the situation to escalate further before acting. We must anticipate the potential long-term effects of supply chain disruptions and ensure that safeguards are already in place,” the senator said.

He emphasized that the proposed task force should implement immediate strategies to stabilize fuel prices and secure adequate energy supply for the country.

Gatchalian also recommended that the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) be included in the task force, particularly because of its critical role in managing power generation in off-grid and missionary areas. These areas rely heavily on diesel-fed operations under the Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG), making them especially vulnerable to fluctuations in global oil prices.

Given the Philippines’ heavy dependence on imported fuel, the senator warned that swift and decisive action is necessary to cushion the impact of rising oil prices on basic commodities and to preserve overall economic stability.

He further underscored the importance of close coordination between the government and the private sector to mitigate the economic repercussions of the escalating tensions in the Middle East.

The call comes as concerns mount over the potential ripple effects of sustained geopolitical unrest on the country’s energy security and inflation outlook.

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