The Department of Energy (DOE) said fuel prices will post steep increases for the week of July 21 to 27, led by a PHP 10.68 per liter hike for diesel and a PHP 11.77 per liter increase for kerosene, while also assuring the public that national fuel inventories remain adequate.

Based on DOE’s price update, gasoline products RON 91, RON 95, and RON 97 will increase by PHP 3.65 per liter. Diesel and Diesel Plus will rise by PHP 10.68 per liter, while kerosene will increase by PHP 11.77 per liter.

DOE Secretary Sharon S. Garin said the agency has returned to fixed prescribed adjustments instead of price ranges, with the listed amounts serving as the maximum allowed increases for the week.

Garin attributed the price pressure to renewed tensions and supply-chain uncertainty in the Middle East, which have affected global oil markets and pushed up costs for oil-importing countries such as the Philippines.

“We cannot change the direction of the global market, but we can act on how it reaches our people,” Garin said.

Despite the steep price increases, Garin said the country’s fuel supply remains sufficient.

“Our fuel supply is sufficient. Inventories remain adequate. Filipinos can go about their normal routines and operations with confidence,” she said.

Based on DOE’s inventory update as of July 17, total expected available fuel supply stood at 45.77 days.

The breakdown showed 43.37 days for gasoline, 45.94 days for diesel, 139.97 days for kerosene, 82.31 days for jet fuel, 28.83 days for fuel oil, and 34.30 days for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

In practical terms, the DOE is separating the supply issue from the price issue. The country still has adequate in-country inventories, but pump prices are rising because the Philippines remains heavily exposed to imported petroleum and global oil market volatility.

Garin said the DOE is also monitoring against abuse, overpricing, and hoarding, while coordinating with oil companies to ensure that pump price adjustments reflect actual movements in the global market.

The department has also asked oil companies whether they can stagger this week’s increase to help public transport drivers manage the impact.

Garin said staggering the increases is voluntary on the part of oil firms, but added that the DOE appreciates moves by companies to do so because of the effect on daily fuel loading by transport providers.

The government’s PHP 10 per liter fuel subsidy for qualified public utility jeepney and UV Express drivers also remains ongoing.

Oil Industry Management Bureau Director Rino Abad said around PHP 327 million had been released to beneficiaries, covering about 87,582 unique public utility vehicles.

The DOE also said enforcement teams remain on the ground as the national energy emergency remains in place.

Officials said coordination is continuing among the DOE, local government units, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to monitor possible hoarding and other emergency concerns.

For the longer term, Garin said the government is working with the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC), Maharlika, and the DOE on a program to build government-owned storage tanks as part of a strategic national reserve.

She said the goal is to increase the country’s ability to store crude oil, diesel, or gasoline so the Philippines can maintain larger reserves during periods of external disruption.

The DOE said its immediate priority is to keep fuel supply stable and sufficient, help vulnerable sectors manage higher prices, and continue efforts to reduce the country’s dependence on imported fuel.

How can the Philippines shield consumers from global oil shocks while reducing dependence on imported fuel?

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