JV Ejercito pushes for an inter-agency task force amid Middle East war

MANILA, Philippines — Senator JV Ejercito has urged the government to form an inter-agency task force to prepare for the possible economic and energy impact of the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

“Let’s not wait for the crisis to worsen; we should already be preparing. We should be proactive and prepare for the worst, like we did during the pandemic,” Ejercito said in Filipino in an interview last Monday.

He said the proposed task force should discuss contingency plans, including possible savings or austerity measures, as risks of fuel supply disruptions grow.

READ: Sen. JV Ejercito faces ethics complaint

Ejercito also called for regular public updates, noting concerns over the potential effects on the economy if fuel supply is affected.

“It is concerning—if the supply is truly affected, what will we do? If our economy slows down, how will we manage our food, how will we move? We do not want our fellow citizens to suffer,” he said.

He noted that Congress has already authorized the President to suspend excise taxes on fuel to help cushion price shocks on consumers.

However, Ejercito said the impact of the conflict could go beyond fuel prices, affecting global supply chains and production costs.

“This is a domino effect because the global market depends on oil from the Middle East. If supply is affected, oil prices will rise, and so will production costs. Food prices, transportation fares, and almost all goods will also increase. In the end, it is the ordinary consumer who will bear the impact,” he said.

“We cannot control the conflict between superpowers or large countries, but we hope and pray that it will be resolved soon. Our country—and the entire world—is affected by this,” he added. /mr