The country's buffer stock in fuel has increased, Malacañang reported.

According to the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) Committee, the country's fuel buffer stock is now up to 54 days, from 52.

“Sa ngayon ang buffer stock ng supply ng langis ay tumaas mula 52 hanggang 54 days. At napag-usapan din ang malawakang rollback sa presyo ng diesel (At present, the buffer stock of oil supply has increased from 52 to 54 days. A widespread rollback in diesel prices was also discussed),” Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro during a Palace press briefing on Tuesday afternoon, April 28.

Castro said the country’s fuel and food situation was discussed and assessed during the UPLIFT committee meeting at the Palace presided over by President Marcos on Tuesday.

“At ayon din kay Secretary Kiko (Francisco) Tiu Laurel Jr., may sapat na supply bigas, chicken, at pork sa Pilipinas na aabot sa katapusan ng taon (According to Secretary Kiko Tiu Laurel Jr., there is a sufficient supply of rice, chicken, and pork in the Philippines that will last until the end of the year),” she added.

On March 24, President Marcos signed Executive Order No. 110 declaring a state of national energy emergency in light of the conflict in the Middle East.

The order authorizes the Chief Executive to declare a critically low energy supply or imminent danger, and to implement the fuel and energy allocation plan and other energy conservation measures.

The EO also adopts UPLIFT as the government’s coordinated, whole-of-government response framework.

Meanwhile, Castro said the public may visit the UPLIFT website at www.uplift.dbm.gov.ph, which enumerates government programs amid the current energy emergency.

The website highlights UPLIFT’s five pillars: Saving lives, Ensuring a sufficient supply of fuel, Assisting sectors in need, Keeping food prices within reach, and Ensuring a supply of electricity.