JV Ejercito urges creation of inter-agency task force over Middle East tensions
March 23, 2026
Deputy Majority Floor Leader Senator JV Ejercito urged the government to create an inter-agency task force to prepare for the potential economic and energy impact of the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
“‘Wag na natin hintayin na lumala pa ang krisis, dapat naghahanda na tayo. We should be proactive and prepare for the worst, na parang COVID pandemic situation.”
“Sana magtatag na ng force para mapag-usapan kung ano ang puwedeng gawin. Halimbawa, kung ano ang plano sa pagtitipid o austerity measures,” he said in an interview on Monday.
Ejercito stressed that the Senate adopted Senate Resolution No. 43 last week, urging the executive branch to set up a national contingency framework using a whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach.
As one of its authors, he said the measure should push for early action amid possible fuel supply disruptions, and create a task force that would provide daily updates to keep the public informed.
“Nakakabahala na kung talagang maapektuhan ang supply, anong gagawin natin? Kung babagal ang takbo ng ekonomiya natin, paano ang pagkain natin, paano tayo gagalaw. Ayaw po nating maghirap ang ating mga kababayan,” said Ejercito.
He noted that the Congress has already authorized the President to suspend excise taxes on fuel to help cushion price shocks on consumers.
Ejercito said however, the impact extends beyond fuel prices as it could also affect supply chains and production costs worldwide. He noted that many Asian economies, including China, rely heavily on Middle Eastern oil, which in turn powers manufacturing and exports.
“Domino effect ito dahil dependent ang global market sa oil mula sa Middle East. Kapag naapektuhan ang supply, tataas ang presyo ng langis, pati ang cost ng production, tataas din ang presyo ng pagkain, pamasahe, at halos lahat ng produkto. At sa huli, ang ordinaryong mamimili ang sasalo ng epekto.”
“Hindi po natin kontrol itong away ng mga superpowers o malalaking bansa pero ipagdasal natin na sana ma-resolve na agad. Damay po ang bansa at buong mundo dito,” he said.
