Philippines First Country to Declare National Energy Emergency Over Iran War

President Marcos declared a year-long national energy emergency, making the Philippines the first country to formally invoke emergency powers over the Iran war energy shock. The declaration authorizes advance fuel procurement, empowers authorities to prosecute hoarding and profiteering, and creates the interagency UPLIFT Committee under presidential direction. The Philippines has approximately 45 days of fuel reserves at current consumption rates. Transport workers and consumer groups announced a two-day strike starting Thursday to protest rising fuel costs. Bloomberg and Al Jazeera reported separately that India and Japan are stockpiling jet fuel and diesel amid fears of prolonged supply disruption.