Manila, April 13 -- Energy Secretary Sharon Garin on Monday raised the need to reassess existing energy policies to reduce the country's dependence on imported fuel amid ongoing global shocks.

Garin made several recommendations, including revisiting the Oil Deregulation Law, during a public hearing by the Senate Proactive Response and Oversight for Timely and Effective Crisis Strategy (PROTECT) Committee, citing the country's heavy reliance on diesel imports under a deregulated industry.

"Our main problem really is our dependence on diesel and imported diesel at that which is a deregulated industry," Garin said.

"Deregulation only works when it's good times. When it's bad times... there should be a degree of regulation on the part of g...