Metro Manila, Philippines – Any fuel price increase should follow the schedule of adjustments, the government told companies on Saturday, March, 7, as it received reports that gas stations posted new prices ahead of the expected surge next week.
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin called out companies charging higher prices this week, while calling for calm among consumers as the Middle East conflict puts pressure on global oil prices.
Garin said prices should be stable until Monday, March 9, and changes should only happen on Tuesday.
“There are 14,000 gas stations all over the country, please report any violation to your local enforcement agencies so the PNP (Philippine National Police) can deploy their already strained resources,” she said on Facebook on Saturday, March 7.
“Sinabi na ng pangulo, no profiteering at no hoarding. Bawal ‘yan,” she said.
[Translation: The president already said there should be no profiteering and hoarding. That’s prohibited.]
On Friday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that next week, gasoline will cost ₱7.48 more per liter, diesel by ₱17.28 per liter, and kerosene by a whopping ₱32.35 per liter.
The Department of Energy (DOE) previously appealed to oil companies to stagger the increases.
In a statement shared by Malacañang, Garin said the president’s announcement was “prudent” in bracing for the impact of the Middle East conflict on Filipinos.
“Hindi panahon na matulog lang nang mahimbing dahil tayo ang talo kapag nagpakampante ang gobyerno,” Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro also said.
[Translation: This is not the time to just sleep soundly because we will lose when the government becomes complacent.]
Garin said the president directed the implementation of interventions to ease the burden on consumers, including the monitoring of gas stations to ensure stable fuel supply and fair pricing.
“There is no reason for panic buying. The country has adequate fuel supply, and government agencies are actively monitoring the situation to ensure that the public is protected,” Garin told the public.
Garin said her agency is coordinating with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the PNP in the inspection of fuel stations to prevent hoarding, profiteering, or supply manipulation.
Marcos has ordered a four-day work week in a number of government offices and the strict enforcement of energy-saving measures.
