Impact of Iran War: Hundreds of Gas Stations in the Philippines Shut Down

Philippines, KORANTRANSAKSI.com – Hundreds of fuel stations in the Philippines have been forced to shut down amid a national state of emergency declared by the government to address an energy shortage. The crisis has been triggered by the war involving Iran.

The Philippine National Police reported that 365 gas stations have ceased operations due to limited fuel supply. Authorities also uncovered seven cases of hoarding and profiteering related to fuel distribution, as reported by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

The government in Manila declared a national emergency after oil supplies from the Middle East declined. This situation arose as Iran effectively gained control over the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing conflict between the United States and Israel against Tehran, which has now entered its second month.

To mitigate the supply shortage, the Philippines has purchased 2.48 million barrels of crude oil from Russia. The country imports around 90 percent of its energy needs, with total oil expenditures reaching approximately USD 16 billion in 2024, most of which comes from the Middle East.

Amid the ongoing energy crisis, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated that the Philippine government is open to resuming talks with China regarding a joint oil and gas exploration project in the disputed South China Sea. “We have discussed this for a long time, but territorial disputes have been the main obstacle,” Marcos said.

Relations between Manila and Beijing remain strained due to overlapping claims in the disputed waters. (TIM)