26/03/2026
PRESS RELEASE
March 26, 2026
Portusers group backs energy emergency declaration, oil tax flexibility law
The United Portusers Confederation of the Philippines, Inc. (UPC) today expressed strong support for the government’s declaration of a state of energy emergency and the signing of a law authorizing the Chief Executive to suspend or reduce excise taxes on petroleum products, saying the twin measures will help stabilize logistics costs and protect the country’s trade competitiveness.
“Fuel is the single most critical cost driver in port operations and logistics. When oil prices spike, the impact cascades immediately—from trucking and shipping lines to warehousing and last-mile delivery,” said UPC President Ma. Flordeliza C. Leong. “The declaration of an energy emergency and the flexibility to adjust oil taxes are timely lifelines that can temper cost surges and prevent further disruption across the supply chain.”
Leong noted that port users—comprising exporters, importers, brokers, truckers, and logistics providers—have been grappling with escalating bunker fuel prices, congestion-related expenses, and shipping surcharges.
“These measures send a strong signal that government is prepared to act decisively to cushion the economy. Temporarily easing oil taxes during periods of extreme volatility can immediately lower transport and handling costs, helping keep Philippine goods competitive in global markets,” she said.
At the same time, UPC urged close coordination among economic managers, energy agencies, and industry stakeholders to ensure that relief is responsive to market conditions, with appropriate guidelines be released soon.
“We recommend clear transparent monitoring to ensure savings are passed through to shippers and consumers,” Leong added.
The group also called for complementary actions to maximize the benefits of the policy, including exploring fuel-efficient and alternative-energy fleets for port operations; rationalizing port and shipping surcharges; improving traffic management and turnaround times to reduce fuel burn; and strengthening data sharing across agencies to help additional policy and program implementation.
“Beyond immediate relief, this is an opportunity to accelerate structural reforms that will make our logistics system more energy-resilient and cost-efficient,” Leong said. “A coordinated, whole-of-government approach—working closely with industry—will be key to sustaining momentum.”
UPC emphasized that stabilizing logistics costs is essential not only for exporters and importers but also for consumers.
“When transport costs rise, prices on store shelves follow. These measures help contain inflationary pressures and support jobs across the trade ecosystem,” Leong concluded.
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About the United Portusers Confederation of the Philippines, Inc. (UPC)
The United Portusers Confederation of the Philippines, Inc. (UPC) represents 9 business and logistics organizations comprising a broad cross-section of port stakeholders, including exporters, importers, customs brokers, trucking companies, freight forwarders, and logistics service providers. UPC advocates for efficient, transparent, and globally competitive ports and logistics systems, working closely with government agencies and private sector partners to advance policy reforms, streamline procedures, and reduce the cost of doing business in the Philippines.
