Marcos orders crisis committee as Palace insists 'no oil crisis'MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the creation of a crisis committee to manage the fallout from the Middle East war on fuel and food supplies, Malacañang confirmed Monday, March 23. The committee's main task, Castro said, would be to ensure that supplies of petroleum products and food are not disrupted. The Palace official also disagreed with criticism that the government has been minimizing the severity of the crisis. She insisted that supplies of crude oil, fuel, and food remain sufficient and said Marcos wants Filipinos to feel "the government is here for the people and will not abandon them." Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said last week the Philippines is not in an oil crisis because fuel supply remains adequate while drawing a distinction between price and supply.

Source: Philippine Star March 23, 2026 06:33 UTC