The inventory boost comes as state-owned Philippine National Oil Company helped procure additional supplies to meet the country’s energy requirements. "Hopefully we can have more country suppliers because this is the intention of the PNOC that we search for other alternative suppliers, not the supplier countries from the Middle East,” she said. Petron was able to secure Russian oil after the US issued a waiver allowing the purchase of the crude. Garin said the Philippines, a longtime US ally, has been given a window to buy more Russian oil until April 12 under that waiver. "The primary concern of our country right now is to make sure that we have enough supply,” the energy chief added.

Source: The Star March 31, 2026 03:57 UTC