MANILA – Malacañang dismissed claims of an oil crisis in the Philippines, saying the country’s fuel supply remains sufficient, even as pump prices continue to rise due to global developments.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro clarified at a press briefing that while fuel prices are affected, there is no disruption in supply. She cited Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, who distinguished between two types of crises: supply and price.

“Secretary Garin said there are two kinds of crises—supply and price. Regarding supply, there is no crisis. There may be a price disruption because of the ongoing oil crisis in the Middle East,” Castro said.

The statement comes amid double-digit increases in petroleum prices since mid-March, prompting concerns from motorists and gasoline retailers about affordability and limited diesel supply.

The Department of Energy, however, assured the public that current fuel reserves, combined with incoming shipments, are enough to last about 50 days.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has certified as urgent a bill granting him emergency powers to suspend or reduce excise taxes on fuel to mitigate the impact of price spikes on the transport sector.

Malacañang also said the government is exploring alternative sources of petroleum products to address the situation caused by escalating tensions in the Middle East.