Major business groups on Friday expressed strong support for the Philippine government’s declaration of a state of national energy emergency and the move to allow the president to suspend or reduce excise taxes on petroleum products.
The United Portusers Confederation of the Philippines (UPC) and the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham) said these measures will help stabilize costs, sustain operations and protect the country’s competitiveness.
UPC president Ma. Flordeliza Leong said fuel remains the most critical cost driver in port operations and logistics, noting that oil price spikes quickly cascade across trucking, shipping, warehousing and last-mile delivery.
“The declaration of an energy emergency and the flexibility to adjust oil taxes are timely lifelines that can temper cost surges and prevent further disruption across the supply chain,” Leong said.
AmCham described the energy emergency declaration as a proactive step to address evolving energy challenges. The chamber noted the importance of a whole-of-government approach to ensure bureaucratic efficiency, maintain the unhampered movement of essential goods and services and implement proportionate compliance measures.
The development presents an opportunity to advance key reforms, the groups said. These include amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, improvements in the energy regulatory framework, accelerated renewable energy development, enhanced grid infrastructure and increased private sector participation.
Such measures are seen as critical to boosting investor confidence and sustaining economic growth as the country manages fluctuating global oil prices.
