Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday declared a state of national energy emergency to respond to the impact of the Middle East war, which his administration said posed “an imminent danger of a critically low energy supply.”

Under the declaration, which would initially last for a year, Marcos would lead a contingency committee that would monitor and ensure the availability and orderly distribution of fuel, food, medicines, agricultural products, and other basic goods.

Authorities were ordered to take action against the hoarding, profiteering and manipulation of the supply of petroleum products. The Department of Migrant Workers, meanwhile, was asked to brace for the possible rescue and evacuation of Filipinos in the Middle East.

More than 2 million Filipinos live and work in the Middle East, including about 31,000 in Israel and 1,000 in Iran, but most have opted to stay in the region.

The Philippines is highly dependent on fuel imports and particularly vulnerable to disruptions in production and shipments.

Earlier on Tuesday, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the country had about 45 days of fuel supply left.

Asia is particularly vulnerable to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Last year, nearly 90% of all the oil and gas that passed through the waterway was shipped to the region.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem & AP)