Filipinos may soon feel another heavy blow at the fuel pump.
The Department of Energy (DOE) has warned that fuel prices could surge sharply next week as tensions in the Middle East continue to shake global oil markets.
Speaking in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, Rino Abad, director of the DOE’s Oil Industry Management Bureau, revealed the minimum estimates for the possible price increases.
And the numbers are alarming.
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Diesel may rise by ₱19 per liter
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Gasoline may increase by ₱9 per liter
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Kerosene could jump by as much as ₱31 per liter
Abad stressed that these figures are only the minimum projections. The actual increases could still go higher because they do not yet include additional costs such as premiums and insurance tied to the worsening global situation.
“The situation right now is very bad,” Abad said, explaining that the uncertainty in the market makes it difficult to give exact projections.
Earlier estimates from oil industry sources were lower, with diesel projected to increase by around ₱15.33 per liter and gasoline by about ₱7.09 per liter. But the latest developments in global trading suggest the spike could be much bigger.
Now, all eyes are on the country’s oil companies.
The DOE said it is still waiting for petroleum firms to decide whether they will implement the price hikes gradually instead of all at once.
During a recent press conference, the agency said it would request companies to stagger the increases to soften the impact on consumers. The appeal comes from Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has urged oil firms to consider easing the burden on motorists and ordinary Filipinos.
Oil companies, according to Abad, asked for time this week to compute the possible adjustments before announcing their final decision.
If the increases turn out to be too large, some companies may implement daily staggered price hikes. If the adjustment is smaller, they might spread the increases twice a week instead.
Meanwhile, the government is also studying longer-term solutions.
President Marcos has said he is ready to speak with congressional leaders about granting him authority to reduce excise taxes on petroleum products if the price of Dubai crude oil rises above $80 per barrel.
As the possibility of steep fuel hikes looms, the DOE has also issued a strict warning to gasoline stations across the country.
The agency reminded all oil companies and retailers that unauthorized price increases are illegal.
Gas stations are not allowed to raise pump prices outside the officially scheduled adjustments. Oil companies were also ordered to make sure that all company-owned and dealer-operated stations follow DOE directives.
The department emphasized that it will not tolerate any attempt to exploit the situation.
“We recognize that the industry operates under challenging global conditions,” said Energy Secretary Sharon Garin. “But we will not allow anyone to take advantage of the situation.”
Her warning comes after authorities discovered an early price hike at a retail station in Tagum City.
During a joint inspection by the DOE and the Philippine National Police, officials found that the station had already raised its diesel price from ₱64.85 to ₱73.20 per liter—an unauthorized increase of ₱8.35 even before the official adjustment.
The station was immediately ordered to revert to the correct price.
In response, the DOE has intensified monitoring nationwide. Field offices in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao are now conducting inspections to ensure gas stations follow pricing regulations and maintain proper fuel supply.
For millions of Filipino motorists and commuters, the coming week could bring painful changes.
And as global tensions continue to ripple through the oil market, many are bracing for another costly ride. ⛽
