Philippines says it is working with US to obtain oil from US-sanctioned nations
This comes after the Southeast Asian nation, which relies heavily on imported fuel, declared a state of national emergency on Tuesday
“We are working with the State Department to get waivers or exemptions to purchase oil from US-sanctioned countries,” Jose Manuel Romualdez told Reuters in an exchange of phone messages. Asked if imports of oil from Venezuela and Iran were part of the discussions, Romualdez said “all options are being considered”.
Asked what has been the response from the State Department, the ambassador said: “Work in progress.”
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Workers across Asia feel squeeze as fuel prices skyrocket
As of March 20, the government said the Philippines had around 45 days of fuel supply, and is procuring one million more barrels of oil to build its buffer stock.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr said in a televised address on Wednesday that the country’s fuel supply would not run dry after 45 days as his government has been looking for other sources.