President Marcos said there is a possibility of grounding flights due to the lack of jet fuel amid the ongoing impacts of the conflict in the Middle East.

Although Marcos hopes that it will not happen, it would be a possibility, he said in an interview with Bloomberg.

"We are hoping not, but that's a possibility. It's a distinct possibility," Marcos said when asked if planes will have to be grounded due to the current situation.

The President stressed that if the shortage worsens, planes flying out of the Philippines cannot refuel in other countries. It would result in them carrying the fuel there and back.

"With this scarcity, shall we say, limitations now on crude supply, the refining of jet fuel takes a longer time. And so we will have to depend on what is already readily available," Marcos said.

"And when our airlines fly out, several countries have said, 'We cannot fuel your aircraft, so you will have to carry the fuel there and back.' And that's around here. The long haul is going to be a much more serious problem," he added.

Marcos disclosed that the Philippines is exploring the possibility of securing fuel supply from Russia, the country’s non-traditional trading partner.

He said this is the same Bloomberg interview when asked if the Philippines is getting a commitment from China or Russia for added fuel supply.

The President said the government is “still working on that”, noting China has always been the Philippines’ trading partner and that the government is trying to increase fuel supply.

“Russia is not a traditional supplier of crude oil to the Philippines or any energy supply, but we are exploring that as well,” he said. 

“Basically, we are trying anything— everything— to secure supply because that’s the one thing that we can do about. The pricing is going to be a much more difficult challenge because everyone is a price taker when it comes to oil,” he added.

Marcos said the Philippines is encouraged to talk with China and Russia in terms of its energy requirement because current contracts are now being honored, stressing the country secured such a commitment from its partners around the world.

Asked about the country’s partners, the President said the Philippines has been sourcing fertilizer from Indonesia and China; refined fuel from Japan and South Korea; and oil from Malaysia.

In terms of the Philippines’ current fuel supply, the President said: “I think we’re doing better than a month in terms of fuel supply — maybe 45 days more or less, depends on diesel or gasoline.”