This, as the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) Committee met for the fourth time.
On Tuesday, April 21, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. convened the above-mentioned committee, where government-aided programs already being implemented, as well as measures to cushion the effects of the Middle East conflict on Filipinos were discussed.
During which, he told the energy department, led by Secretary Sharon Garin, to ensure a continuous fuel supply to prevent stagnation.
In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro noted, “At pinagpilitan ng Pangulo sa ating Secretary of Energy, kay Secretary Sharon (Garin) na dapat na hindi maputol ang suplay ng krudo o produktong petrolyo sa atin dahil ayaw ng Pangulo ang stagnation.”
“Nagkakaroon na ng inflation dahil bunga ito ng sigalot sa Middle East, so ayaw na dumating pa sa estado ng stagnation kaya kinakailangan na ang suplay ng krudo ay manatili at tuluy-tuloy sa ating bansa,” she added
As to the country’s fuel inventory, Castro reported that the Philippines has a 52-day average supply as of April 21.
Some 471,000 barrels of fuel were delivered to the country, while 1 million barrels of the 2 million ordered have been confirmed.
“As of today, April 21, nasa 52 days na ang average supply natin ng langis. Patuloy namang sinisiguro ng pamahalaan na mayroon tayong sapat na supply para tuloy-tuloy lang ang trabaho at mga serbisyo,” Castro noted.
To ensure a stable power supply, the government is also fast-tracking the development of 22 renewable energy projects with a combined capacity of 1,471 megawatts.
“Para naman tiyakin na matatag ang ating supply ng kuryente…kasalukuyan nang pinapabilis ang paggawa sa 22 renewable energy projects na may katumbas na 1,471 megawatts capacity,” Castro said.
Citing Garin, Castro said there is no fuel supply shortage in the country, stressing the Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) is buying fuel as a reserve or buffer.
“Patuloy namang sinisiguro ng pamahalaan na mayroon tayong sapat na suplay para tuluy-tuloy lang ang trabaho at mga serbisyo,” said Castro.
Meanwhile, the Palace also reported high compliance among government agencies, including the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), with the energy-saving measures ordered by President Marcos in response to global energy volatility.
PCO Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that 86.8 percent of the 665 national government agencies are complying with the directive.
She added that 2,933 agencies and entities have adopted flexible work arrangements to reduce fuel and electricity use.
The President earlier ordered national government agencies to limit power consumption in government offices and promote hybrid work setups.