Energy Crisis: Philippines Reduces Work Days, Thai Civil Servants Urged to Use Stairs
Jakarta – The escalating conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel continues to intensify and trigger global concerns. This escalation in tensions has driven a sharp rise in global energy prices, disrupted shipping around the Strait of Hormuz, and raised fears that supplies of crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) could be disrupted for longer than anticipated.
Oil prices have surged sharply to US$119 per barrel, marking the highest level since 2022, as market concerns about disruptions to energy supply and distribution from the Middle East have increased.
Amid this situation, several nations have begun taking concrete steps to anticipate the impact of the conflict on their respective economies, from the Philippines, Thailand, to South Korea.
Thailand Opts for Work-from-Home and Strict Energy Conservation
Thailand has emerged as one of the more aggressive nations in responding to energy pressure resulting from escalating Middle East tensions. The government has begun implementing energy-saving measures within the bureaucracy as a precaution against supply disruption risks.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered the civil service apparatus to implement energy-saving policies, including work-from-home (WFH) arrangements beginning Tuesday (10 March 2026), though exceptions remain for employees who must provide direct public services.
Beyond WFH, the Thai government has also imposed several other conservation measures in government offices. Employees have been asked to limit lift usage and use stairs more frequently, postpone foreign business travel, set air conditioning temperatures between 26-27 degrees Celsius, wear lighter work clothing, and switch off lights and electrical equipment when not in use.
These steps have been taken to reduce energy consumption as quickly as possible whilst oil prices and supply disruption risks continue to rise. Energy Minister Atthapol Rerkpiboon stated that Thailand currently has energy reserves of approximately 95 days, prompting the government to seek additional LNG supplies from the United States, Australia, and South Africa.
Beyond this, the Thai government has also prepared additional measures should the crisis worsen. Local authorities have already halted energy exports to nearly all nations except Laos and Myanmar.
The government has also opened options for early closure of fuel filling stations and restrictions on advertising signage and commercial building lighting should supply pressure intensify. Concurrently, the government is promoting the use of subsidised biodiesel and maintaining cooking gas prices until May to ease the burden on citizens.
Philippines Implements Four-Day Work Week and Flexible Work Schemes
In addition to Thailand, the Philippines has also responded to escalating Middle East tensions with concrete steps. The government has chosen to reduce energy consumption from the operational side of the bureaucracy, as fuel costs have risen due to intensifying conflict in the oil-producing region.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the implementation of a four-day work week system in several Philippine executive branch offices beginning 9 March 2026. This temporary policy was adopted amid rising fuel costs triggered by increasing tension in the Middle East.
Marcos explained that this step was part of the government’s effort to conserve energy and reduce fuel consumption, as global oil prices have risen following the escalation of conflict in the energy-producing region.
Furthermore, the local government has also requested state institutions to reduce fuel and electricity consumption. This includes air conditioning temperature adjustment, restriction of energy use in offices, and implementation of more flexible working patterns.
The Philippines’ approach is noteworthy as it illustrates how vulnerable energy-importing nations are to global shocks.
Vietnam Follows Neighbouring Nations’ Lead
Vietnam has also followed the steps of the Philippines and Thailand in responding to rising energy prices resulting from intensifying Iran-US-Israel conflict. Whilst the previous two nations have focused on bureaucratic efficiency, Vietnam has moved through a combination of consumption savings and supply security.
The Vietnamese government is encouraging companies to allow employees to work from home to help conserve fuel consumption.
Additionally, the local government has also urged the public to limit non-essential travel and avoid fuel hoarding. Concurrently, Vietnam has also prepared measures from the supply side by seeking additional energy import sources and reducing fuel import tariffs to ease domestic price pressure.
This step demonstrates that Vietnam does not wish to wait until global energy shocks further strain the domestic economy.
Japan Prepares to Release Oil Reserves
In contrast to Southeast Asian nations focused on conservation, Japan has chosen to strengthen the supply side of anticipation. This approach aligns with the Land of the Rising Sun’s high dependence on energy imports from the Middle East.
Japan has begun taking anticipatory steps amid rising energy prices resulting from Iran-US-Israel conflict.
The Japanese government has reportedly asked one of its national oil stockpiling facilities, the Shibushi National Petroleum Stockpiling Base in Kagoshima Prefecture, to prepare for potential release of oil reserves to the domestic market if needed.
This information was disclosed by opposition parliament member Akira Nagatsuma, who stated the instruction originated from the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy and was transmitted through the Japan Organisation for Metals and Energy Security.
However, the Japanese government has not yet formally decided on reserve release. The timing of implementation and the scale of reserves that may be released have also not yet been announced. This means Tokyo is currently on standby alert.