Businesses take steps to safeguard operations

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March 26, 2026 | 12:00am

Amid national energy emergency

MANILA, Philippines —   Businesses are taking urgent steps to safeguard operations following the government’s declaration of a national energy emergency.

In a statement yesterday, the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) said  the declaration of a national energy emergency under Executive Order (EO) 110 is timely and necessary, with the ongoing Middle East crisis pushing up oil prices, leading to tighter shipping schedules and rising input costs.

As manufacturers are feeling the pressure on energy, transport, imported input materials and production timelines, FPI chair Elizabeth Lee said firms are focused on ensuring continuity, cost discipline and resilience.

“Businesses are built for the long term and operations are being actively managed to withstand volatility,” she said.

In particular, Lee said firms are prioritizing continuous production while safeguarding workforce stability, even as margins become tight.

“Mitigation measures are being intensified across operations. These include optimizing production schedules to off-peak energy hours, enhancing workforce flexibility where cross-trained team members adopt flexible roles and responsibilities, and adopting remote work arrangements for non-production functions where feasible,” Lee said.

To manage rising costs, she said firms are renegotiating supplier contracts, tightening energy efficiency across production lines through lean manufacturing, and streamlining logistics by consolidating shipments and maximizing load efficiency.

Management Association of the Philippines president Donald Lim said in a Viber message that the declaration of a national energy emergency reflects the gravity of the country’s energy challenges, particularly in ensuring reliable and affordable power amid rising global uncertainties.

“From a business perspective, this move can help accelerate critical investments and address supply constraints essential to sustaining economic growth,” he said.

Lim said the next 30 days would be critical and success hinges on swift, transparent and well-coordinated execution.

“Decisive and well-calibrated policy actions during this period will set the direction for investor confidence, energy stability and the country’s overall economic resilience,” he said.

For Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) president Ferdinand Ferrer, the declaration of the national energy emergency is the first step to ensure sufficient energy supply and stabilize prices.

“The PCCI supports any measures of the government to absorb and stabilize the increasing prices of fuel and basic commodities,” he said.

Ferrer said energy stability is important to sustain the country’s economic growth, protect livelihoods and ensure competitiveness of Philippine industries.

He called on the government to ensure that domestic supply would last for more than 90 days and beyond.

He also called for consultative and transparent implementation of EO 110 and the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food and Transport to ensure that the most affected sectors receive and benefit from this temporary relief.

PCCI also emphasized the importance of crafting a master plan for self-sufficiency.

“We should rethink and reset our priorities locally so that our country will not panic in times of crisis. We should learn from our neighboring countries in Asia like Japan, which has reserves sufficient for eight months,” Ferrer said.

Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. said that it also supports the declaration of the national energy emergency and stands ready to work with the government and industry stakeholders to ensure the country weathers the energy crisis.

“At the same time, we encourage exporters to continue or expand energy-efficient practices, optimize supply chains and explore alternative markets and transport strategies to mitigate risks,” he said.

Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. said that it also supports the declaration of the national energy emergency and stands ready to work with the government and industry stakeholders to ensure the country weathers the energy crisis.

“At the same time, we encourage exporters to continue or expand energy-efficient practices, optimize supply chains and explore alternative markets and transport strategies to mitigate risks,” he said.