Nilinaw ng Department of Energy (DOE) na hindi agad bababa ang presyo ng gasolina kahit may kasunduan ang gobyerno ng Pilipinas at Iran para sa ligtas na pagdaan sa Strait of Hormuz.
Ayon kay Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, dumarami ang tanong ng publiko kaya kailangan ng diretsong paliwanag. “In recent days, marami pong tanong tungkol sa ating arrangement to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. These are valid questions and they deserve clear, straightforward answers,” ani Garin.
Ipinaliwanag niya na ang kasunduan ay hakbang para bawasan ang panganib sa gitna ng global uncertainty. “This is not a perfect solution, and it does not eliminate all risks. But it is an important step that improves our position in a highly uncertain global environment,” paliwanag niya.
Binigyang-diin din ng DOE ang papel ng Strait of Hormuz sa suplay ng langis. “Even if much of our fuel is sourced from regional hubs like Singapore or Korea, the crude oil these come from often passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Any disruption there creates a domino effect that impacts global supply and ultimately, prices at the pump,” ani Garin.
Sa ilalim ng kasunduan, nakakuha ang Pilipinas ng “safe and preferential access” para sa Philippine-linked cargo. Ayon sa DOE, layon nito na mabawasan ang panganib sa suplay, maprotektahan ang kargamento, at mapabuti ang safety considerations para sa mga Pilipinong seafarers.
“This is risk management, because in a time of global tension, risk reduction is already a meaningful gain,” ayon kay Garin.
Nilinaw din ng kalihim ang limitasyon ng hakbang. “This development will not immediately bring down fuel prices, nor does it resolve our long-term structural challenges in energy,” aniya.
Sa halip, nakatuon ang kasunduan sa pagpapanatili ng suplay. “What this does is help ensure continuity of supply and stability, especially at a time when further disruptions could significantly affect our economy and our people,” dagdag niya.
“Our commitment is simple: to continue providing clear, accurate, and timely information, and to act decisively in protecting the interests of the Filipino people,” pagtatapos niya. /Bistado