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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DFA chief bares US 'very helpful' in providing PH with energy needs

DFA chief bares US 'very helpful' in providing PH with energy needs

Published Mar 27, 2026 12:46 pm  |  Updated Mar 27, 2026 03:18 pm
Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro (Photo courtesy of DFA)
Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro (Photo courtesy of DFA)
The United States has asked the Philippines, one of its closest allies hardly hit by its ongoing conflict with Iran, regarding its current energy needs, as the country battles a national energy emergency, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro has bared.
Lazaro said "the United States has even reached out" as the Philippines bore the impact of Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a sealane for oil tankers, in response to the US and Israel's joint attack.
"The United States has been very helpful in providing us also some energy sources," she said in a CNN interview Thursday, March 27 (US time), without expounding any other details.
Lazaro's office, in an earlier statement, committed to continue looking for partners around the world to address the country's current energy needs following the arrival of 700,000 barrels of Russian crude oil.
The Philippines was the first country in the world to declare a national energy emergency as the oil crisis loomed following the Middle East conflict.
Oil price has already doubled since the start of hostilities, with Lazaro admitting "it's already taking a toll on the ordinary Filipino, the transportation cost, the price of food."
"So these are all now. It has its cascading effect from energy issues," she said.
Lazaro said the Philippines' biggest concern now is "until when will the situation last?"
"As we said, we go back to the very basic issues that we have—our energy security as well as food security, And it's this unpredictability that we are facing," she added.

Related Tags

Theresa Lazaro United States energy crisis Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) PH-US
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