DOE secures 165.7 million liters of diesel

The Department of Energy said it has secured 1.042 million barrels of diesel, equivalent to 165,678,000 liters, or about 165.7 million liters, for delivery through April to strengthen the country’s fuel supply position amid continued volatility in the global oil market tied to the Middle East conflict.

The DOE said the shipments form part of the government’s Emergency Energy Security Program under Executive Order No. 110, carried out under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to help maintain stable and sufficient oil supply nationwide.

The agency said the deliveries were secured through the Philippine National Oil Company-Exploration Corp. and scheduled in phases to sustain domestic availability during a period of heightened external market uncertainty.

The DOE said the secured volumes were also the result of sustained oil diplomacy and coordination with relevant government entities, which it said helped convert high-level engagement into actual deliveries that will bolster domestic fuel availability in the coming weeks.

The first shipment, consisting of 142,000 barrels, or 22,578,000 liters, from Japan, arrived in the Philippines on March 26, 2026.

The remaining deliveries are expected in three tranches through April.

The DOE said 300,000 barrels, or 47,700,000 liters, from Malaysia and Singapore are due in early April.

Another 300,000 barrels, or 47,700,000 liters, from North Asia or India are scheduled to arrive in mid-April.

A final 300,000 barrels, or 47,700,000 liters, from Oman through Singapore is expected by the end of April.

Taken together, the DOE said the deliveries complete the 1.042 million barrels secured by the government to strengthen supply cover, support essential sectors, and help protect the domestic market from the effects of external disruption.

Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin said the staggered arrivals reflect a deliberate and forward-looking approach to fuel supply management while international oil markets remain exposed to geopolitical risk and price instability.

“This is a concrete demonstration of the government’s resolve to act early, act decisively, and protect the national interest,” Garin said.

“By securing these deliveries and scheduling their arrival through April, we are reinforcing domestic supply, supporting critical sectors, and helping ensure that the country remains responsive and resilient amid continued uncertainty in the global oil market.”

In a separate briefing, Garin also stressed that the new deliveries show supply levels have been replenished despite recent demand.

“What this tells us is clear, that we have supply. What we consumed last week was replenished and even increased,” Garin said.

The DOE said the Philippines currently holds about 50.94 days of petroleum product inventory, or 75.052 million liters across major fuel types, a level it said was slightly higher than earlier estimates because of recent replenishments.

Of that stock, diesel inventory stands at 32.516 million liters, equivalent to 46.93 days of cover.

Gasoline inventory stands at 59.78 days of cover, according to the DOE.

The agency said liquefied petroleum gas, jet fuel, kerosene, and fuel oil inventories also remain within varying coverage levels, reflecting uneven demand and import cycles across fuel categories.

The DOE said the Philippines remains vulnerable to external developments because it is a net importer of petroleum products, making both price and supply sensitive to geopolitical disruptions, including tensions affecting key shipping routes in the Middle East.

The department said it is closely coordinating with industry stakeholders to monitor inventory levels, facilitate the timely distribution of incoming volumes, and prevent bottlenecks that may disrupt transport, logistics, power generation, and other vital economic activities.

The DOE added that the secured diesel volumes are intended primarily to reinforce the supply side so fuel can reach oil companies, gas stations, and consumers.

Garin said an internal committee on oil procurement is expected to issue guidelines on the distribution and sale of the secured fuel to local oil firms.

The DOE also said the current supply buildup was supported by broader coordination across government, as officials moved with urgency and discipline to strengthen fuel availability, maintain orderly market conditions, and safeguard consumer welfare.

In a related development, Petron Corp., which operates the country’s remaining oil refinery, confirmed the procurement of 2.48 million barrels of crude oil from Russia to bolster its inventory through June.

That additional procurement could provide another layer of support for the downstream oil market as demand and import requirements remain elevated amid global price volatility.

The developments come as local fuel retailers continue to implement another round of price hikes, extending consecutive weeks of increases across petroleum products.

Sources: Department of Energy press release and DOE media briefing.