By Darryl John Esguerra
MANILA – The Philippine government will initiate diplomatic talks with Iran to help ensure the safe passage of its fuel shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route, Malacañang said Tuesday.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to take the lead on the matter as part of efforts to safeguard the country’s energy supply.
“Iniutos na po ng Pangulo kay Secretary Tess Lazaro… makikipag-usap po siya sa ambassador ng Iran, most probably po ay tomorrow. Kung hindi man po magkakaroon ng tomorrow, by next week po (The President has already instructed Secretary Tess Lazaro… she will speak with the Iranian ambassador, most likely tomorrow. If not, by next week),” Castro said in a Palace briefing.
The planned engagement comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, including escalating hostilities involving Iran and its regional counterparts, which have raised concerns over possible disruptions in global oil supply chains.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most critical chokepoints for energy trade, with around one-fifth of global oil supply passing through it daily.
Any disruption in the waterway, whether due to military escalation, blockades, or security threats, can significantly impact global oil prices and supply availability.
Energy-importing countries like the Philippines are particularly vulnerable to such shocks, as the country relies heavily on imported petroleum products to meet domestic demand.
Castro said no specific Philippine-bound vessels have been identified as being at risk so far.
“Wala pa pong nabanggit sa atin si Secretary (The Secretary has not mentioned any specific vessels yet),” she said.
The Marcos administration has been implementing a series of interventions, including diversifying fuel sources, securing existing supply contracts, rolling out fuel subsidies for key sectors, and enforcing energy conservation measures across government offices.
Meanwhile, Castro said the government is still consolidating the total cost of its response to the crisis.
“Sa ngayon po ay hinihingi po natin lahat ang ulat ng mga ahensiya. Most probably by next week maibibigay po namin sa inyo (We are currently gathering reports from all agencies. Most probably by next week we can provide the figures),” she said.
The Palace reiterated that maintaining unimpeded fuel flow remains a top priority as global uncertainties persist. (PNA)
