Camille Naredo

Commuters wait for a ride along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on the first day of PISTON’s transport strike on Thursday, March 19, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Commuters wait for a ride along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on the first day of PISTON’s transport strike on Thursday, March 19, 2026. Fuel prices continue to rise, adding to the burden of drivers, workers, and daily commuters. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

TRANSPORT STRIKE

Andrea Taguines

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177487986964120260319-transport-strike-commuters-commonwealth-MT3.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Commuters wait for a ride along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on the first day of PISTON’s transport strike on Thursday, March 19, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News" width="960"/>Commuters wait for a ride along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on the first day of PISTON’s transport strike on Thursday, March 19, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA — The Department of Energy (DOE) on Monday said the Philippines’ fuel inventory has slightly increased to an average of 50.94 days as of March 27, 2026, as the government ramps up fuel imports from alternative sources amid the conflict in the Middle East.This is higher than the earlier 45-day supply previously reported by the agency.Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said the Marcos administration has already ordered around one million barrels, or more than 165 million liters, of diesel from various countries. Of this volume, the DOE said the first shipment from Japan, carrying 22.6 million liters, arrived in the country last week.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/30/oil-prices-jump-again-as-march-ends-1640">READ: Oil prices jump again as March ends</a></div>The remaining deliveries are expected in the coming weeks of April: - 300,000 barrels (47.7 million liters) from Malaysia and Singapore in early April - 300,000 barrels (47.7 million liters) from North Asia or India by mid-April - 300,000 barrels (47.7 million liters) from Oman via Singapore by end of April“What this tells us is clear, that we have supply. What we have consumed last week was replenished and even increased,” said DOE Secretary Sharon Garin during a press conference.The agency also presented a breakdown of available days of supply per fuel product: * Gasoline – 59.78 days * Diesel – 46.93 days * Kerosene – 107.88 days * Jet fuel – 62.69 days * Fuel oil – 57.27 days * LPG – 34.02 daysGarin expressed optimism that current inventory levels provide enough buffer to secure additional supplies.“When you say 59 days for gasoline, that means we have almost 60 days to look for replenishment… Most of the orders coming from Southeast Asia take about a week or 10 days to reach the Philippines, so there’s more than enough time,” she said.Still, the DOE urged the public to conserve fuel amid ongoing uncertainties.“Dapat sana matipid tayo para hindi mabilis maubos ang ating fuel, because we don’t know where the war is going— kung matatapos, kung magtatagal, kung kakalma na ang gera o mag-eescalate pa,” added Garin.<div> </div><div>HOW WILL GOVERNMENT-PROCURED OIL BE USED?</div>The DOE said it is still drafting the exact guidelines on how it plans to distribute government-procured oil supplies among oil firms with dwindling stockpiles.“Dadaan pa siya sa oil companies kasi the oil companies are the one with the infrastructure. Yung PNOC (Philippine National Oil Company) they store it in the storage of the oil companies kasi wala po yung gobyerno nang sariling storage so doon na rin papunta yan, sa mga oil companies. (On) how we will distribute or how we will sell, we can provide the guidelines eventually,” said Garin.<div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/30/jeepney-operators-drivers-receive-fuel-subsidy-1635">READ: Jeepney operators, drivers receive fuel subsidy</a></div>She added that the government is also still studying possible price control measures.But for groups like IBON Foundation, ensuring additional oil supply is not enough. It said the government must also take steps to curb rising prices, which, it adds, can only be done through a genuine declaration of a state of national emergency.“For the government-procured na oil supplies to make any difference, kailangan ilabas siya sa merkado at either subsidized cost or libre. Or better yet, mismong gobyerno ang mag-distribute, na hindi dinadaan through the oil firms. In times of emergency, the government has to step in to moderate that profit,” said IBON Foundation Executive Director Sonny Africa.

“What this tells us is clear, that we have supply. What we have consumed last week was replenished and even increased,” said DOE Secretary Sharon Garin.

“What this tells us is clear, that we have supply. What we have consumed last week was replenished and even increased,” said DOE Secretary Sharon Garin.

DOE: PH’s current fuel inventory good for 50.94 days

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Business

DOE: PH’s current fuel inventory good for 50.94 days

Andrea Taguines,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 30, 2026 10:23 PM PHT

Read More:

oil inventory

DOE

Department of Energy

Sharon Garin

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

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.