FACT CHECK: Malacañang, DOE debunk ‘energy lockdown’ claims

Claim: The Philippines will be placed under an energy lockdown starting April 20, and the public is encouraged to prepare alternative power sources and essential supplies.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: Multiple versions of the claim have circulated online over the past couple of days, causing significant confusion among those who have come across the post.

The post includes a social media card with the logo of the Department of Energy (DOE), along with the text, “Energy Sector PH Announcement: Energy Lockdown starting April 20, 2026. Prepare your power bank, solar equipment, rechargeable fan, flashlight, candles, lamps, food, medicine, water.”

The sensationalist claim was quickly reposted by several concerned social media users, with many asking if the alleged announcement was true, while others were alarmed.

The facts: On April 3, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro debunked the alleged “energy lockdown” claim as “fake news,” as reported by the Philippine News Agency.

Malcañang earlier said no energy lockdown is seen for now as the government continues to secure alternative fuel sources and prepare to avoid worst-case scenarios amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

On Monday, April 6, the DOE also posted that the circulating claim is fake and that it did not make any such announcement.

The agency reminded the public to be “discerning and ensure that the information comes only from official and trusted sources.”

Fuel supply: On March 24, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of national energy emergency due to the conflict in the Middle East and the rise in global oil prices.

The government has assured the public that the Philippines has enough fuel supply and that it continues to seek alternative sources to stabilize the country’s energy sector. (READ: IN NUMBERS: Philippine sources of electricity affected by Middle East crisis)

According to the energy department, the Philippines’ current fuel inventory can now last up to 50.9 days.

“Ang bansa po ay may mahigit 50 days na fuel supply buffer. Ibig sabihin, tuloy-tuloy ang dating ng bagong supply — hindi ito ‘paubos’ na bilang,” the DOE said in a post. 

(The country has a fuel supply buffer of more than 50 days. This means new supplies are constantly arriving — it is not a ‘depleting’ figure.)

Consumers continue to face significant increases in fuel prices, however. Industry sources say diesel prices in Metro Manila may soar to nearly P170 per liter following five consecutive weeks of double-digit increases.

Emerging false claims: This is not the first time that claims of an “energy lockdown” have circulated online. In March, an AI-generated video of a news report about the claim went viral and was fact-checked by Rappler. (READ: FACT CHECK: No announcement of energy lockdown; video is AI-generated)

The DOE also debunked the AI video in its post, stating that it did not originate from the agency. – Princess Leah Sagaad/Rappler.com

Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.