Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday urged the Department of Energy to pursue government-to-government deals to ensure adequate oil supplies, as the country currently has only 53 days of gasoline and 46 days of diesel.
He warned that private companies alone cannot manage the supply challenges, calling state-level agreements essential.
Gatchalian criticized the P20 billion fund for two million barrels of diesel as merely a “band-aid solution” that would only cover five days.
He emphasized leveraging diplomatic ties with oil-exporting countries, such as the United States, to secure firm supply commitments.
Meanwhile, DOE Secretary Sharon Garin said contracts are secured through April, and the department is negotiating with more suppliers for May deliveries.
Source: PhilNews24 | March 26, 2026
