MANILA - Motorists are beginning to adopt different strategies to cope with the continuing surge in fuel prices, with many rushing to gasoline stations on Friday ahead of another expected price increase next week.
The Department of Energy (DOE) has warned that diesel prices could potentially reach ₱90 per liter if the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to push global oil prices higher.
As of Friday afternoon, a gasoline station in Timog Avenue, Quezon City is selling their oil products at ₱61.40 per liter for diesel, ₱67 for premium diesel, and ₱59 per liter for unleaded gasoline.
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Despite the increases, the station is still considered among those offering relatively lower fuel prices in the area.
A separate gasoline station in Quezon City was selling diesel at ₱68 per liter and unleaded gasoline at ₱58 per liter.
According to station staff, diesel there was only ₱55 per liter on Monday, while unleaded gasoline was ₱52.80 per liter—meaning diesel alone has risen by nearly ₱13 per liter in just a few days.
The steep increases have caught many motorists off guard, especially delivery riders who rely heavily on fuel for their daily income.
Instead of filling up their tanks completely, some riders say they are now opting to buy only small amounts of fuel.
Delivery rider Gott Sohn said he now budgets carefully just to keep working.
“Ang pinakafull tank nito is 350 po, bale ang igagas ko is 150. Pagkakasyahin ko nalang po iyon, kung saan ako mauubusan ng gasolina. Swerte nalang kung makatanggap na tip sa customer. Laban nalang din po ng patas, wala po tayong magagawa eh,” he said.
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Another rider, Frederick Hawac, said the rapid increase has been difficult to keep up with.
“Napakabilis po ng pagtaas samantalang noong nakaraan lang po nasa 50 lang po yan eh. Medyo parang double na po, masakit na po sa bulsa. Hahanap nalang ako ng mas mura next time,” he said.
At another station, diesel was already priced at ₱67 per liter, while unleaded gasoline reached ₱64.45 per liter.
Earlier in the week, diesel there was sold for ₱53.70 per liter and unleaded for ₱53.55 per liter.
The rising prices are also affecting transport network vehicle service (TNVS) drivers, some of whom say the cost of filling up has increased by nearly a thousand pesos.
“Nasa 1600-1500, maximum na yun, ngayong 2300 na oh! 2600! Hindi pa puno dati 1800 sagad sagad na yun! Wala nang kikitain sa gas nalang lahat pupunta,” said TNVS driver Benjie Martinez.
Public utility drivers are feeling the squeeze as well.
“Kagabi, full tank ako. 71/litro. Mabigat sa bulsa, wala na kinikita ang mga driver. Naka-apat na ako. Boboundary palang ako,” said jeepney driver Ernesto Senar.
With fuel prices expected to rise further in the coming weeks, some motorists say they are already considering leaving their vehicles at home and commuting instead in order to cut expenses.
Meanwhile, the Department of Energy released a statement warning that oil companies proven to be taking advantage of the situation in the Middle East to manipulate and increase prices in the market could face charges.
The agency has also coordinated with local governments and urged motorists to report such incidents to its hotline at 8840-2267.