The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday said it is unlikely that China will restrict fuel exports to the Philippines despite ongoing tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

“With the negotiations ongoing on the Code of Conduct between ASEAN and China, I don’t think so. I am very forward-looking. There are still a lot of good discussions,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Tessa Lazaro said in an ambush interview on the sidelines of the Federation of Philippine Industries 2.0 forum in Taguig City.

China, along with other countries, earlier announced plans to restrict fuel exports starting March 2026 to secure domestic supply amid continued tensions in the Middle East, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz—a key route for global oil shipments.

While the Philippines is not heavily dependent on China for crude oil, it relies on China and other regional hubs such as Singapore and South Korea for refined petroleum products.

Negotiations between ASEAN and China on a Code of Conduct (COC) for the South China Sea are being accelerated, with both sides aiming to finalize an agreement by 2026 under the Philippines’ chairmanship of the regional bloc.

Recent talks held in Cebu earlier this year focused on key issues such as the agreement’s legal binding nature and geographic scope, amid persistent regional tensions.

The Philippines has emphasized that the COC should be “substantive and effective” and aligned with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Government seeks alternative fuel sources

The government earlier said the country’s fuel buffer stock may only last until the end of April, prompting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to direct the DFA and the Department of Energy (DOE) to secure alternative fuel sources.

Lazaro said she had convened an emergency meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers, where members called for de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East and the use of diplomacy.

She noted that ASEAN energy ministers had previously agreed on an emergency mechanism that would be activated once supply disruptions reach a certain threshold, with the DOE already aware of the arrangement.

The DFA has also instructed Philippine embassies to coordinate with host governments to explore possible fuel supply arrangements.

“I have instructed selected Foreign Service Posts and our ambassadors to engage their counterparts and ministries of energy to determine how they can assist us in this endeavor,” Lazaro said.

Marcos: Government working to cushion oil price impact

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the government is exploring additional subsidies and assistance to mitigate the impact of rising oil prices.

“We are trying to find different methods to provide subsidies and assistance,” the President said during an ambush interview in Mariveles, Bataan.

He acknowledged that volatile oil prices have made it difficult to plan interventions.

“The problem is that oil prices are very volatile, and we cannot anticipate them. So we are still adjusting,” he said.

Despite this, Marcos assured the public that the government has taken steps to cushion the impact of rising costs and that oil and food supplies remain sufficient.

“As much as possible, people should not worry. We are securing the supply of oil and food, and so far, our stocks are sufficient,” he said.

The President added that the government is continuing efforts to diversify energy sources, including seeking suppliers beyond traditional markets in the Middle East, and reiterated support for sectors most affected by rising fuel prices, particularly transport workers.