Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday said the ₱20-billion emergency fund approved by President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. will 'not be enough' to sustain the country’s current fuel consumption amid the ongoing global oil crisis.

The President earlier ordered the release of ₱20 billion sourced from the Malampaya Gas Fund to ensure adequate fuel supply as tensions in the Middle East continue to affect global oil prices and availability.

In an interview on DZRH's Balansyado, Gatchalian explained that while the fund may appear substantial, it would only cover a very short period of national fuel demand.

“Kung titignan natin ang konsumo natin, kumukonsumo tayo ng 400,000 barrels a day. So 'yung 1 million na yan, dalawang araw lang ang kakayanin. Dahil malaki ang konsumo natin ng gasolina at diesel. Kaya talagang hindi sapat siya [P20 billion],” he said.

According to the senator, the Philippines’ high consumption of gasoline and diesel makes the allocated fund insufficient to provide long-term relief.

Gatchalian urged the Department of Energy (DOE) to explore alternative sources of fuel beyond the Middle East, noting that the Philippines has strong diplomatic ties with other oil-producing regions.

He suggested tapping suppliers in the United States, South America, and Canada through government-to-government (G2G) agreements.

“Maganda ang relasyon natin sa buong mundo ngayon at dito siguro magagamit natin ang relasyon na yan dahil may mga supply pa outside of the Middle East tulad sa Amerika, tulad sa South America, Canada. Lahat ‘yan ay meron silang sariling supply. Pero hindi tayo bumibili diyan. Traditionally bumibili lang talaga tayo sa Middle East dahil mas mura,” Gatchalian said.