Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Canteens and eateries use disposable styro plates even for dine-in customers due to lack of water for washing dishes in Mandaluyong, March 13, 2019. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Bea Cuadra

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/177491618424820190313-interruption-water-shortage-GC-2302.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Canteens and eateries use disposable styro plates even for dine-in customers due to lack of water for washing dishes in Mandaluyong, March 13, 2019. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — The rising cost of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is hitting Manila’s small food businesses.</p><p>As global oil prices fluctuate, street food vendors and canteen owners are being forced to rethink their cooking methods, often looking backward to traditional fuels to keep their livelihoods afloat.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/29/small-businesses-also-struggle-as-lpg-prices-surge-1528">Small businesses also struggle as LPG prices surge</a></div><p>For Fernando Dela Cruz, a 60-year-old vendor who sells pares and lugaw, the steady climb of gas prices has made his usual setup unsustainable.</p><p>He recalls a time when the price of an LPG tank was manageable.</p><p>&quot;Malaki ang itinaas eh dating P840 lang ngayong P1,200 na eh,&quot; Dela Cruz said.</p><p>To cope, he has integrated wood and charcoal into his daily operations.</p><p>While less convenient than a gas stove, the math is simple for a man running a small cart.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/27/lpg-prices-also-set-to-rise-0145">LPG prices also set to rise</a></div><p>&quot;Mas mura ang uling,&quot; he noted.</p><p>In the karinderyas, the strategy is less about switching fuels and more about extreme conservation.</p><p>Marivic Tripoli, 52, who cooks and manages a small eatery, says the price of smaller gas refills has jumped significantly, often by P300 or more.</p><p>To survive the weekly overhead, Tripoli explains that she has developed a strict routine of fuel conservation, meticulously adjusting her stove to stretch every last bit of gas.</p><p>&quot;Kailangan talagang tipirin yung mga gas hinaan ng konti para makatipid,&quot; she explained.</p><p>Her routine involves cooking the bulk of the food early and then maintaining a low flame just to keep the dishes warm for customers.</p><p>&quot;Pag niluto na mamaya konti na lang iinit na parang menor lang araw-araw namin ginagawa,” she added.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>STRATEGIES</strong></div><div><strong><br/></strong></div><p>The eateries along Quirino Highway in Barangay Bagbag, Quezon City, are also feeling the impact.</p><p>Karen Fayton shared some of the strategies they have adopted to conserve the LPG they use in their operations.</p><p>“Yung pagpapakulo po ng aming sabaw, kapag mainit na po pinapatay na po mamin. Nagluluto na po kami nang maramihan, para pag may bumili, hindi na namin iisa-isahin, mahal po kasi ang gas,” Fayton explained.</p><p>The dilemma is also visible in bakeries.</p><p>Marie Celo, 40, works at a local bake shop.</p><p>While she agrees that wood is the most economical alternative, the urban setting makes it an impossible choice.</p><p>&quot;Sa ngayon dapat kahoy talaga siya... pero gawa ng dito sa Maynila wala namang kahoy,&quot; Celo said.</p><p>She pointed out that even switching to electric appliances like rice cookers offers no relief because electricity rates are also soaring.</p><p>&quot;Napapasubo po yung mga negosyante,&quot; Celo lamented, describing how business owners are being pushed to the wall.</p><p>Despite the rising costs of ingredients and fuel, they choose not to raise the price of bread.</p><p>&quot;Kung magtataas kami mas lalong walang bibili. Lalong walang kita,” she explained.</p><p>For these micro-entrepreneurs, the choice is no longer about which fuel is more efficient, but which one will allow them to survive another day in a tightening economy. <strong>— With a report from CA Sitson, ABS-CBN News</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><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/kwRT1nJN5eE?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><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/9QziN4s_mTc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><br/></div>

<p>As global oil prices fluctuate, street food vendors and canteen owners are being forced to rethink their cooking methods, often looking backward to traditional fuels to keep their livelihoods afloat.</p>

As global oil prices fluctuate, street food vendors and canteen owners are being forced to rethink their cooking methods, often looking backward to traditional fuels to keep their livelihoods afloat.

'Uling muna': Small food vendors seek cheaper alternatives as LPG prices soar

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Business

'Uling muna': Small food vendors seek cheaper alternatives as LPG prices soar

Bea Cuadra,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 31, 2026 08:20 AM PHT

Read More:

Fuel prices

Gas

Food

Vendors Alternative cooking

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.