How SMEs can survive the 2026 energy crisis

Surviving the 2026 Energy Crisis Chess Players' Strategies for SMEs

As small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Philippines face the en
energy crisis declared by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on March 24, 2026,
2026, it's crucial to prioritize resiliency and flexibility. Fortunately, p
professional chess players have strategies that can be applied to help SMEs
SMEs survive this challenging climate.

Here are five ways chess players professionals can leverage

1. Think Multiple Moves Ahead Prioritize liquidity by forecasting your
your cash inflows and outflows to anticipate potential gaps.
2. Be Strategic with Your Assets Review fixed costs and trim the fat
fat by outsourcing, downsizing, or adopting virtual offices.
3. Energy Efficiency is Key Invest in renewable energy sources, such a
as solar panels, and optimize energy consumption through net-metering progr
programs.
4. Find Buffers Where You Can Audit your supply chains, switch to supp
suppliers from Asean countries, and maintain buffer stocks of essential com
components or ingredients.
5. Be Adaptable and Resilient Stay lean by prioritizing liquidity, rev
reviewing operational costs, and being prepared for unexpected changes.

By applying these strategies, SMEs in the Philippines can survive the energ
energy crisis and emerge stronger than ever.

Understanding the Energy Crisis

On March 24, 2026, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of natio
national energy emergency due to the US-Israel-Iran conflict. This has led 
to rising fuel prices and warnings that inflation could potentially hit fou
four percent and power grids may be at risk during the summer season. The e
effects of this crisis will not only affect daily life but also businesses,
businesses, making it even more difficult to operate.

Prioritizing Resiliency

To survive this challenging climate, SMEs must prioritize resiliency and fl
flexibility. By applying chess players' strategies, such as thinking multip
multiple moves ahead, being strategic with assets, and finding buffers wher
where possible, SMEs can adapt quickly to unexpected changes and maintain a
a healthy bottom line.

Georgianna Carlos is a serial entrepreneur and one of the founders of Permi
Permitly.ph, a digital platform that simplifies business registration and c
compliance in the Philippines.

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.