Published March 9, 2026 1:25pm
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Motorists will have to tighten their belts anew, as retailers plan another big-time pump price hike starting Tuesday to mark the ninth straight week of increases for gasoline, and the 11th for both diesel and kerosene amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
According to data released by the Department of Energy (DOE), retailers are set to increase prices per liter of gasoline by P7.00 to P13.00, diesel by P17.50 to P24.25, and kerosene by P32.00 to P38.50.
Below is the list of the scheduled pump price hikes for the week:
This comes as the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping corridor located between Iran and Oman, has been closed off amid the ongoing conflict among the United States, Israel, and Iran. It is considered the world’s most vital oil export route, connecting the biggest Gulf oil producers with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
The Department of Energy-Oil Industry Management Bureau (DOE-OIMB) earlier projected a minimum increase of P9.00 per liter for gasoline, P19.00 per liter for diesel, and P31.00 per liter for kerosene this week due to continuing concerns over the Middle East conflict.
The DOE, which said it will appeal to firms the stagger the implementation of hikes starting this week, earlier said pump prices from March 6 to March 9 should not exceed the following ranges:
Gasoline (RON 97/100) at P53.70 to P76.50 per liter Gasoline (RON 95) at P50.00 to P71.04 per liter Gasoline (RON 91) at P49.00 to P64.70 per liter Diesel at P49.00 to P66.59 per liter Diesel Plus at P56.80 to P74.81 per liter Kerosene at P78.90 to P99.89 per liter
The DOE said it is working with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to intensify monitoring against possible hoarding and profiteering in the sale of petroleum products, after it received initial reports and evidence indicating potential irregularities in Luzon and Mindanao.
Pump prices already increased by P1.90 per liter for gasoline, P1.20 per liter for diesel, and P1.50 per liter for kerosene on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
The government is set to provide fuel subsidies for public transport operators, farmers, and fisherfolk, and offer free bus rides to mitigate the impact of the higher prices.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. also earlier said he is considering temporarily reducing or suspending excise taxes on fuel to cushion the impact of rising prices. The DOF has yet to release estimates on the possible foregone revenues.
US President Donald Trump over the weekend said he is not interested in negotiating with Iran, and said the conflict would only end once the country no longer has a functioning military or any remaining leadership in power, as reported by Reuters.
Tensions in the Middle East heightened as US-Israeli airstrikes killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which American President Donald Trump celebrated. The death was later confirmed by Iranian state media.
Trump earlier said that combat operations in Iran would continue until all objectives are achieved, as he confirmed that three US service members were killed and there would likely be more casualties.—AOL, GMA Integrated News