Tovic Salvador

Residents line up for fuel as electricity has not been restored in Tuguegarao City. Zhander Cayabyab, DZMM

Article (news)

Alvin Elchico

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177375882134720260313-oil-price-hike-80-per-liter-MT3.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="A price board shows over Php80 per liter of diesel at a gasoline station along EDSA, Mandaluyong City, on March 13, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">A price board shows over Php80 per liter of diesel at a gasoline station along EDSA, Mandaluyong City, on March 13, 2026. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said she is confident that the current global fuel supply situation will not result in fuel rationing in the Philippines, even if some oil firms are finding it harder to order supplies for May.</p><p>The government had earlier projected that the current inventory would last until the end of April, but orders for May delivery are still being worked out.</p><p>Garin said there will be no rationing of supply as long as demand does not artificially pick up due to hoarding or unnecessarily storing fuel supply by consumers and businesses alike.</p><p>&quot;Parang wala pa naman yan sa naeenvision namin based on the situation today parang di pa naman basta wala lang hoarding, magtipid lang tayo..&quot;</p><p>Garin said the Department of Foreign Affairs has already told them the government can order fuel from Russia on a state-to-state arrangement. According to Garin, there are still many suppliers willing to negotiate with the country, though prices are costlier.</p><p>The Philippine National Oil Company intends to import diesel, which will be sold at cost to private oil firms just to beef up supply. Among the prospects is oil coming from Russia.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/17/gov-t-eyes-procuring-2-million-barrels-of-oil-via-pnoc-1726">READ: Gov’t eyes procuring 2 million barrels of oil via PNOC</a></div><p>&quot;Ang maganda sana nyan eh balita ko mas mura sya pero di ko lang kung gaano katagal ang delivery kasi malayo..&quot; said Garin on DZMM&#x27;s Gising Pilipinas.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>SOURCING WOES</strong></div><p>Independent Player Jetti Petroleum admits that while the April supply is already almost certain, many oil companies are finding it difficult to get orders for May.</p><p>Many oil firms deal with traders who also rely on refineries all over Asia that are also experiencing a scarcity of crude supply from the Middle East or elsewhere. As supply dwindles, oil prices in the world market continue to go up.</p><p>Based on the first trading day on Monday, prices of all petroleum products are still going up:</p><p style="line-height:1">Diesel        P5.00/L ⬆️</p><p style="line-height:1">Gasoline    P5.00/L ⬆️</p><p style="line-height:1">Kerosene P10.00/L ⬆️</p><p>These prices still do not factor in premium costs due to the war in the Middle East.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>IMPORTING BIOFUELS </strong></div><p>If the pending legislation on allowing imported biofuels in the Philippines becomes law, fuel prices will ease a bit, according to Jetti Petroleum.</p><p>Under the law, oil firms are obliged to purchase biofuels locally, meaning ethanol and coco methyl ester, which are more expensive in the Philippines.</p><p>The Philippines has mandated a 3 percent biodiesel content on diesel and 10 percent ethanol on gasoline.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/17/senate-oks-emergency-powers-on-fuel-excise-tax-1858">READ: Senate OKs emergency powers on fuel excise tax</a></div><p>Jetti Petroleum estimates that diesel prices will be P0.50 to P1.00/liter lower if imported biodiesel is allowed.  The reduction in gasoline prices will be around P3-P5/liter if imported ethanol is allowed to be blended with local gasoline.</p><p>Jetti Petroleum said the reduction is small compared to the price spikes due to higher world market prices, but the company said any price reduction will ease the burden on motorists, no matter how small.</p>

<p>Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said she is confident that the current global fuel supply situation will not result in fuel rationing in the Philippines, even if some oil firms are finding it harder to order supplies for May.</p>

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said she is confident that the current global fuel supply situation will not result in fuel rationing in the Philippines, even if some oil firms are finding it harder to order supplies for May.

Fuel rationing not needed yet – DOE

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Fuel rationing not needed yet – DOE

Alvin Elchico,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 17, 2026 06:11 PM PHT

|

Updated March 17, 2026 10:48 PM PHT

Read More:

fuel rationing

energy crisis

DOE

oil supply

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