By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
MANILA – There is no need for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to declare a state of national emergency to allow the government to take over operations in the oil industry, Malacañang said on Tuesday.
In a press briefing in Mandaue City, Cebu, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro assured the public that the situation remains manageable, stressing that the government continues to exercise control over developments affecting the oil sector.
Castro made the assurance amid calls for stronger intervention to address rising fuel prices.
“Sa ngayon po ay wala pa po tayo sa ganong sitwasyon (At present, we are not yet in that kind of situation,” she said, when asked to react to calls for Marcos to invoke emergency powers under Republic Act (RA) 8479 or the Oil Deregulation Law governing the oil industry.
“Ang Pangulo po at ang gobyerno ay (The President and the government are) still under control. In control of the situation,” Castro added.
Castro noted that the Department of Energy (DOE) is maintaining close coordination with oil companies to monitor supply and pricing movements.
She said the engagement with oil firms helps ensure stability in the market despite external pressures affecting global oil prices.
Castro issued the statement following calls from Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) Rep. and House Deputy Speaker Raymond Democrito Mendoza for Marcos to consider declaring a state of national emergency to allow temporary government takeover of oil companies’ operations.
Mendoza cited that under Section 14(e) of RA 8479, the DOE may temporarily take over or direct the operations of entities in the oil industry during emergencies.
Castro, however, stressed that current conditions do not warrant such measures, given existing mechanisms in place to manage the situation.
She also appealed to the public to remain calm and avoid spreading fear.
“Ang pakiusap lamang po natin sa ngayon dahil nasa sitwasyon tayong ganito, let us refrain from doing activities like fear mongering. Mas nakakadagdag po ito ng takot sa ating mga kababayan (Our only appeal for now, given the situation, is to refrain from activities like fearmongering. This only adds to the fear of our fellow citizens),” Castro said.
Castro said the administration is currently studying measures that would allow the government to mitigate the impact of rising fuel prices, including possible adjustments to taxes on petroleum products.
She noted that such proposals are currently being crafted into legislation for consideration by lawmakers.
Castro added that proposals to amend or repeal the Oil Deregulation Law are matters best left to Congress.
“Nasa Kongreso na po yan. Kung ano po ang kanilang nasasaloobin, kung ano ang nakikita nilang magiging maganda para sa ating bansa (That is already in Congress. Whatever they believe and see as beneficial for the country),” she said. “Lahat po ng ikagaganda ng bansa hindi naman po tututulan ng Pangulo (The President will not oppose anything that will improve the nation).” (PNA)
