MARCH 26, 2026 — Energy Secretary Sharon Garin has made it clear: the Philippine government simply doesn’t have the capacity to take over oil companies, even amid soaring fuel prices and a declared national energy emergency. With 14,000 gas stations nationwide and only about 1,000 DOE personnel, the idea of a government takeover is not just impractical — it could worsen the crisis.

Fuel prices are climbing fast, driven by tensions in the Middle East. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has already declared a state of national energy emergency and signed into law a measure granting him emergency powers to suspend or reduce excise taxes on fuel. Yet, despite the Supreme Court ruling that allows the DOE to temporarily take over oil firms in emergencies, Garin insists this is not the solution.

Her words cut straight to the heart of the issue: “Government does not have that capacity kasi 14,000 po ang mga oil gas stations natin at several oil companies, at ‘yung negosyo po na ito binitawan na po ito ng gobyerno.”

(Government does not have that capacity because we have 14,000 gas stations and several oil companies, and this business has already been relinquished by the government.)

The reality is stark: 415 gas stations have already shut down as of Wednesday morning, leaving commuters, jeepney drivers, and small businesses scrambling. Garin warns that if the government forcibly takes over, inefficiency and closures could multiply. Instead, she says the DOE will focus on monitoring, regulating, and preventing abuse.

She also hinted at shared sacrifice: “Naghahanap kami ng paraan para tulong-tulong lahat. Oil companies may kaunting sakripisyo, gobyerno may kaunting sakripisyo at saka para matulungan po ‘yung mga kababayan natin.”

(We are looking for ways so that everyone helps out. Oil companies will make some sacrifices, the government will make some sacrifices, so we can help our people.)

This debate exposes a deeper truth: that the Philippines has long surrendered direct control of the oil industry, relying instead on deregulation and private players. Now, in times of crisis, the government finds itself with limited tools — tax adjustments, monitoring, and appeals for cooperation. 

But is that enough when families are already tightening belts, jeepney drivers are cutting trips, and businesses are bleeding from rising costs?

The upbeat spin is that emergency powers could cushion the blow through tax relief, but the sobering reality is that structural dependence on private oil firms leaves the public vulnerable. The government’s refusal to take over may be pragmatic, but it also underscores how little leverage ordinary Filipinos have in the face of global oil shocks.

So are we just going to endure rising fuel costs or are we going to demand a stronger, more decisive hand from our own government?

(Image: Department of Energy Philippines | Facebook)