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The grim consequences of the United States and Israel’s war on Iran have been felt far and wide, including in the Philippines, a nation heavily dependent on the Middle East for oil.
A state of national energy emergency is in effect as domestic fuel prices keep soaring to new record highs. Pressure is mounting across industries, from transportation and logistics to trade and agriculture. Workers and ordinary consumers are feeling the swift — and severe — fallout from the conflict.
The safety and livelihood of over 2 million Filipinos in the Middle East are at risk as well. More than 3,000 of them have been able to come home as the Philippine government conducts repatriation, but they now face an uncertain future.
On this page, we bring you the latest news, photos, videos, and insights on the impact of the Middle East crisis on the Philippines, as well as the biggest developments in the war.
LATEST UPDATES
2 hours ago
Will there be blackouts because of the Middle East crisis?
Shay Du puts the numbers together to answer that question.
2 hours ago
[In This Economy] Beware the allure of price caps on fuel and food
When prices are rising and people are hurting, politicians want to be seen doing something. Price controls are visible, immediate, easy to explain, and therefore popular. But the economics is clear: they almost always create more problems than they solve.
UP economics professor and Rappler columnist JC Punongbayan explains the issue here.
Apr 2, 2026 11:11 AM PHT
How Metro Manila cities are implementing energy-saving measures
For fieldwork, offices in Quezon City Hall are required to consolidate trips and adopt carpooling arrangements.
Apr 2, 2026 10:45 AM PHT
Overpricing, hoarding? Watch out for these illegal acts amid fuel crisis
The Philippine National Police says that as of March 27, at least six complaints were filed against individuals who committed fuel crisis-related offenses.
Read more.
Apr 2, 2026 10:23 AM PHT
In Camiguin, tourism is hit hardest by the Middle East crisis
The island province’s rapidly growing tourist activity has unexpectedly slowed, while dwindling foreign guests and soaring gas prices have pushed motorized boat operators working in tourism sites to the brink.
Read more.
Apr 1, 2026 7:19 PM PHT
Manila asks Iran to ensure safe passage for Philippine-flagged ships, oil shipments
The Philippines has asked Iran to formally designate it as a “non-hostile country” and to “ensure safe passage for Philippine-flagged vessels and oil shipments” as hostilities show no signs of abating in the Gulf.
Read more here.
Mar 31, 2026 7:37 PM PHT
How the Philippines under elder Marcos handled the 1973, 1979 oil crises
As President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. grapples with volatile pump prices driven by ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, history offers a stark reminder that the Philippines has been here before.
His father, the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos, faced similar problems during the 1973 and 1979 global oil crises, which showed how quickly international developments can translate into domestic economic chaos.
Rappler looks back at the massive oil crises of the 1970s to examine what triggered them and what sweeping measures the elder Marcos put in place to force a nationwide conservation of energy.
