Rowegie Abanto

Motorists queue for fuel at a gas station in Pasig City. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

Motorists queue for fuel at a gas station in Pasig City on October 10, 2022, a day before a new round of oil price hike takes effect. Diesel prices is forecast to increase by P6 to P6.85 per liter, gasoline prices at P1.20 to P1.40 per liter, and kerosene prices by P3.50 to P3.70 per liter. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

FUEL PRICE HIKE

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/177461213631520221010-oil-price-hike-MD--10.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Motorists queue for fuel at a gas station in Pasig City. <em>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — An economist has raised concerns over the impact of the ongoing closure of gasoline stations on livelihoods and the country’s economy.</p><p>Latest monitoring by authorities shows that <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/27/425-gas-stations-temporarily-close-as-fuel-supply-runs-dry-1408">425 gas stations nationwide have temporarily stopped operations </a>due to the continued surge in petroleum prices.</p><p>Economist Emmanuel Leyco said the situation poses a serious challenge for communities that depend on these fuel stations.</p><p>“Malaki ang impact niyan sa buhay ng mga mamamayan na umaasa lang doon sa mga istasyon na iyon. Marami dito ay sa labas ng Kamaynilaan. So baka ang nangyayari ay inuuna ang supply dito sa Maynila pero doon sa labas ay naiiwanan,” Leyco said.</p><p>“Kaya nakakabahala ito dahil sila mismo ang nangangailangan ng supply ng petrolyo,” he added.</p><p>In Quezon City, several stations have been temporarily cordoned off after running out of fuel.</p><p>Arnel Tamayo, a gasoline attendant, said their station has been idle for two weeks while waiting for tanker deliveries.</p><p>“Antayin na lang daw ‘yung deliver na gasoline po, ‘yung tanker,” Tamayo said.</p><p>“Mahirap talaga. Wala akong maitulong sa nanay ko at sa mga kapatid ko.&quot;</p><p>Leyco said the closures not only affect livelihoods but also the broader economy, as transportation of people and goods from various parts of the country could be disrupted.</p><p>“Bago magtaas ng presyo ng petrolyo noong Martes, nabalitaan ko rin na may mga nagsarang gasolinahan na mga 400 plus. So, ibig sabihin niyan, hindi na sila nakabawi doon sa supply,” Leyco said.</p><p>“Maapektuhan ang ekonomiya dahil kung hindi na tayo makagalaw, mahihirapan gumalaw hindi lang ang mga tao, pati ang mga produkto natin na nanggagaling sa iba&#x27;t ibang lugar ng ating bansa,” he added.</p><p>Leyco urged the government to clarify the scope and implications of the State of National Energy Emergency to ensure stronger regulation of the oil industry.</p><p>“Katulad din ba ito doon sa emergency clause na nakalagay doon sa Oil Deregulation Law na pwede na silang manghimasok at pumasok sa industriya at pangasiwaan ng mas matibay, mas istrikto ang industriya,” he said.</p><p>“Hindi pwede ‘yung nakikiusap pa ang pamahalaan. Dapat talaga ay tahasan na talagang makialam ang pamahalaan pati po sa pagbibigay ng mga supply doon sa mga istasyon.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lX1XdTuEGp0?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oKeIbs5N0WM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>An economist has raised concerns over the impact of the ongoing closure of gasoline stations on livelihoods and the country’s economy.</p>

An economist has raised concerns over the impact of the ongoing closure of gasoline stations on livelihoods and the country’s economy.

Economist flags risks as several gas stations shut nationwide

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Business

Economist flags risks as several gas stations shut nationwide

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 27, 2026 09:52 PM PHT

Read More:

PNP

Police

Oil Crisis

Fuel

Gasoline Station

Hoarding

Profiteering

Economy

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.