Domestic oil prices will rise by as much as P23.90 per liter this week, with five companies implementing increases on a staggered basis starting Tuesday, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said Monday, March 16.
For gasoline products, the increase will be PHP12.90 to PHP16.60 per liter; for diesel, PHP20.40 to PHP23.90 per liter; and for kerosene, PHP6.90 to PHP8.90 per liter.
This will bring gasoline prices to as much as PHP91.60 per liter, diesel to PHP114.90 per liter, and kerosene to PHP143.79 per liter.
Department of Energy (DOE) data show that from March 10 to 16, gasoline prices ranged from PHP63.40 to PHP75 per liter, diesel from PHP70.95 to PHP91, and kerosene from PHP85 to PHP134.89 per liter.
Garin, in a briefing, said the price changes cover oil firms in Metro Manila and other urban areas.
She said prices vary by location, with those in far-flung areas typically higher — something the DOE cannot control under the Oil Deregulation Law.
“That is why I’m really for the revisiting of the Oil Deregulation Law, because I do believe this system is only effective during good times,” she said.
Garin stressed the need for strict monitoring of fuel stations nationwide with the help of other government agencies and the public, who are encouraged to report questionable price movements to the DOE and through the eGovPH mobile app.
She also assured the public that domestic fuel supply remains adequate until end-April, and possibly into May if energy conservation efforts are observed.
She said that although some countries have restricted supply to other jurisdictions, the Philippines is in talks with existing suppliers such as South Korea, Japan and Thailand for additional supply.
“I’m very confident about our supply… It’s just the price that is an issue,” she said.
She added that concerned government agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Transportation, Department of Agriculture, the Department of Health, and local governments are formulating a program to cushion the impact of the oil price increases on the public.
“The government is really creating a new package so that we can address this unusual event right now,” Garin said.*PNA
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Meanwhile, Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya has deployed dedicated inspection teams to resume monitoring fuel prices and supplies in the city, an initiative first launched last week amid rising fuel costs, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said Monday, March 16.
In a memorandum issued March 13, the Mayor ordered the immediate deployment of Fuel Monitoring and Inspection Teams, composed of personnel from the City Mayor’s Office, City Treasurer’s Office, Bacolod PNP, City Legal Office, Business Permits and Licensing Office, and City Communications Office.
Marty Go, Secretary to the Mayor, clarified that the authority to issue violations remains with the DOE, and the teams can conduct inspections without disrupting station operations.
“The authority of our inspection team is to check its prices and inventory. As to the penalty and issuance of cease-and-desist order (CDO) or any violations, only the DOE has the authority to do so.”
He added that if a gasoline station manager refuses to be monitored, it raises suspicion and will be reported directly to the DOE for verification.
The teams focus on key areas across Bacolod’s retail outlets, including:
- Current retail prices of gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG);
- Actual fuel supply inventories;
- Enforcement of vehicle purchase limits, if applicable;
- Signs of hoarding, such as refusal to sell despite available stock.
The City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) reported all gasoline stations implemented price hikes in line with DOE-released rates. As of March 16, no hoarding has been recorded in the city.*
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