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Residents line up for fuel at one of the few open gas stations in the town of Mauban, Quezon, on Monday, a day after tropical storm Aghon made landfall on May 26, 2024. Jonathan Celloa, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

TYPHOON AGHON

Karen De Guzman

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/177459127971120260327050340_6064b1da0d6bf47749c1adfb75e733c38a7dbb2d69b6c6b97897d18d133caf8c.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Residents line up for fuel at one of the few open gas stations in the town of Mauban, Quezon, on Monday, a day after tropical storm Aghon made landfall on May 26, 2024. Jonathan Celloa, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — The number of gasoline stations that temporarily stopped operations has climbed to 425 as petroleum prices continue to surge nationwide, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday.</p><p>PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said station owners reported that they were forced to suspend operations after running out of fuel supply.</p><p>“Based sa initial investigation na binigay ng mga Municipal Price Coordinating Council (MPCC), sila daw ay nawalan ng stock,” Tuaño said.</p><div><br/></div><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/1774591608190Screen Shot 2026-03-27 at 2.06.37 PM.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><em>Karen de Guzman, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span>The figure increased again on Friday after briefly declining the previous day.</div><p>“May mga retailer o stations naman tayo na nag-open naman. Kahapon, ito ay bumaba sa numero na 387. Muli ito ay nadagdagan ngayong araw na ito na plus 38,” Tuaño said.</p><div> </div><div><strong>REGIONS MOST AFFECTED</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Based on PNP monitoring, the highest number of temporary closures was recorded in the Cordillera Administrative Region, with 79 gas stations shut. </p><p>This was followed by Central Luzon with 46, and Eastern Visayas with 44. </p><p>Tuaño said remote location and delayed fuel deliveries were among the main reasons cited by operators in the Cordillera. </p><p>“Since day one ng monitoring natin, sila ang number one lagi na pinakamataas. Ang inisyal na binigay nilang [dahilan] is dahil sa one, ‘yung location nila is malayo. At ‘yung stock ay hindi rin talaga dumarating,” he added. </p><p>Four gasoline stations were also monitored to have temporarily closed in the National Capital Region due to end of contract, lack of supply, and no stock. </p><p>The PNP has submitted its list of closed stations to the Department of Energy (DOE) for verification.</p><div> </div><div><strong>CASES FILED OVER FUEL VIOLATIONS</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Authorities have also intensified operations against fuel-related violations amid the supply crunch. </p><p>The PNP said a total of five cases have already been filed involving hoarding, profiteering, and unauthorized LPG selling.</p><p>The incidents were recorded in the Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, and the Davao Region. </p><p>Police said some violators allegedly exploited purchase limits by repeatedly buying the maximum allowed amount of fuel from stations, then consolidating and reselling the supply at higher prices. </p><p>“Ang pinakamarami na dapat authorized ng bentahan is 100 liters. So ganun ang ginagawa nila. Bumili sila [violators] ng 100 liters at pinagsasama-sama nila,” Tuaño said. </p><p>“Binibenta nila ito ng mas mataas sapagkat alam naman natin na ‘yung ibang kababayan natin, willing na magbayad. Mas mataas sapagkat mas maraming stations ang hindi na nabibigyan [ng suplay] o sarado,” he added. </p><p>Under existing rules issued by the DOE, fuel purchases in containers are limited to authorized sectors such as fishermen, generator users, hospitals, and other emergency facilities. </p><p>“‘Yung mga gano&#x27;ng sistema ay hindi palulusitin ang Philippine National Police at ‘yan ay patuloy na pa-filean ng kaso,” Tuaño warned.</p><div> </div><div><strong>MONITORING INTENSIFIED</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The PNP said regional directors have been instructed to elevate monitoring efforts and coordinate with regional offices of the DOE, Department of Trade and Industry, and Department of Agriculture to ensure faster reporting and response. </p><p>“Ang pagmo-monitor, hindi lamang ang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga gasolina, ng mga petroleum products, pati ‘yung mga basic commodities natin,” Tuaño said. </p><p>Authorities also warned that schemes such as “full tank and run” fuel theft will face criminal charges.</p><p>Police are now searching for the driver of a white vehicle who fled after getting a full tank at a gas station in Balintawak, Quezon City early Sunday morning. </p><p>The PNP assured the public it will continue filing cases and strengthening monitoring to prevent both small and large-scale fuel-related fraud during the ongoing supply crisis.</p><div><br/></div><p>.</p>

<p>Based on PNP monitoring, the highest number of temporary closures was recorded in the Cordillera Administrative Region, with 79 gas stations shut. </p>

Based on PNP monitoring, the highest number of temporary closures was recorded in the Cordillera Administrative Region, with 79 gas stations shut.

425 gas stations temporarily close as fuel supply runs dry—PNP monitor

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425 gas stations temporarily close as fuel supply runs dry—PNP monitor

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 27, 2026 02:08 PM PHT

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oil prices

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