Customs STF on oil supply fast tracks release of oil shipments

Government procured diesel thru Japan not enough to last one day of required volume

On Mar 28, 2026

The photo handout of the M/T Torm Corrido released by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) while docked at the Port of La Union carrying 142,000 barrels of diesel ordered by the government, March 25, 2026. The volume, however, is not even enough to cover a day's worth of the country's diesel requirement.

THE Special Task Force formed by Bureau of Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno early this month to help cushion the impact of the global oil crisis due to the ongoing war in the Middle East proved it is up to the task by fast tracking the release of two crucial oil shipments from abroad that docked at the Port of San Fernando, La Union and the Port of Limay, Bataan.

Commissioner Nepomuceno commended the two ports for the swift release of the shipments during this period of national emergency.

“I commend the Port of San Fernando, La Union, and the Port of Limay for their quick and efficient handling of these priority fuel shipments from Russia and Japan.

“Their swift action and coordination ensured that essential petroleum products were released without delay,” the Customs chief said in a statement.

At the Port of San Fernando, the BOC announced it already released the shipment of 9,157,667 liters of diesel, equivalent to 142,000 barrels ordered by the government thru the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) on board the M/T Torm Corrido, which docked at the SEAOIL Bangar Terminal last March 25.

The shipment, however, would barely cover a day’s consumption of diesel, according to a report by the Manila Bulletin last March 28. It cited industry data showing the country consumes an average of 200,000 barrels per day of diesel.

Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon Garin, however, said that “more shipments” are coming in “in the coming days and weeks” as part of the government’s belated, frantic effort, to now create a “strategic reserve.”

A photo release credited to AFP thru The Manila Times on the arrival of the M/T Sarah Sky carrying more than 100,000 barrels of crude oil from Russia ordered by Petron on its arrival at Petron’s refinery in Bataan. Only Petron built an oil refinery to support the country’s long-term energy requirements.

The supply of oil reached crisis proportion after the United States and Israel treacherously attacked the Islamic Republic of Iran last February that led to the closure of the ‘Strait of Hormuz’ in the Persian Gulf where over 20 percent of global oil supply, including those bound for Asia and the Philippines, passes thru.

Iran said it is prepared for a long war that could last to six months or longer, predicating its willingness to negotiate peace on the basis of the US and Israel giving guarantees that they would not attack Iran again and for the closure of all US military bases in the Middle East.

At the Port of Limay, the BOC also facilitated the immediate release of 100,402.78 barrels of crude oil on board the M/T Sara Sky ordered by Petron Corporation from Russia that arrived last March 23 for processing in its refinery.

Only Petron, a former state-owned company, has an existing oil refinery.

It can be recalled that anticipating the crisis, Commissioner Nepomuceno early this month announced he is forming a special task force to address the oil crisis (Pinoy Exposé, March 8, 2026).

The Customs Chief’s full instruction was released by his office last March 23 under OCOM Memo No. 36‑2026, the same day the Petron shipment arrived.

Commissioner Nepomuceno emphasized his agency’s proactive role in the current situation, saying:

“Ensuring the timely release of petroleum products is critical to keep the country moving.

“That is why we are making sure petroleum shipments are processed without delay and closely monitored at all times.

“Our goal is simple—to keep supply steady and ensure that no disruption reaches our industries or our communities.”

Duties and taxes from oil shipments account to some 20 percent or more ₱200 billion of the BOC’s assigned collection target of more than ₱1 trillion this year.