MANILA – The Philippine government will engage Iran in diplomatic discussions to secure the safe passage of its fuel shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, Malacañang said.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has tasked the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to lead the initiative as part of efforts to safeguard the country’s energy supply.

“Iniutos na po ng Pangulo kay Secretary Tess Lazaro… makikipag-usap po siya sa ambassador ng Iran, most probably po ay tomorrow. Kung hindi man po magkakaroon ng tomorrow, by next week po (The President has already instructed Secretary Tess Lazaro… she will speak with the Iranian ambassador, most likely tomorrow. If not, by next week),” Castro said during a briefing.

The engagement comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East, including escalating hostilities involving Iran, which have raised concerns about disruptions to global oil supply chains. The Strait of Hormuz, situated between Iran and Oman, handles roughly one-fifth of the world’s daily oil trade.

Any obstruction in the waterway could significantly affect global oil prices and supply, posing particular risks for energy-importing countries like the Philippines, which relies heavily on petroleum imports.

Castro clarified that no Philippine-bound vessels have been identified as being at risk.

“Wala pa pong nabanggit sa atin si Secretary (The Secretary has not mentioned any specific vessels yet),” she said.

The Marcos administration has been implementing measures such as diversifying fuel sources, securing supply contracts, providing subsidies to key sectors, and enforcing energy conservation in government offices.

Castro added that the government is still calculating the total cost of its response to the crisis.

“Sa ngayon po ay hinihingi po natin lahat ang ulat ng mga ahensiya. Most probably by next week maibibigay po namin sa inyo (We are currently gathering reports from all agencies. Most probably by next week we can provide the figures),” she said.

Malacañang emphasized that ensuring uninterrupted fuel flow remains a top priority amid global uncertainties.