By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
With the Middle East conflict contributing to the ongoing volatility in the global energy market, the government continues to find ways to augment its buffer stock of fuel to keep the economy and the citizenry moving.
This, as the Department of Energy (DOE) announced in a media release on Monday, it has secured the delivery of 900,000 barrels (165,68,000 liters) of diesel under the supervision of the Philippine National Oil Company-Exploration Corporation (PNOC-EC).
The deliveries are set to arrive in three phases throughout April, pursuant to the agency’s Energy Security Program carried out under Executive Order No. 110 s. 2026 was inked by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on March 24.
The Philippines earlier took delivery of 142,000 barrels (22,578,000 liters) of diesel from Japan on March 26, with the remaining barrels set to arrive on the following timeframes:
- 300,000 barrels (47,700,000 liters) from Malaysia/Singapore – early April
- 300,000 barrels (47,700,000 liters) from North Asia/India – mid-April
- 300,000 barrels (47,700,000 liters) from Oman/Singapore – end April
Taken together, these deliveries amount to 1.042 million barrels secured by the government to strengthen supply cover, support essential sectors, and help protect the domestic market from the effects of external disruption.
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said in a statement, “By securing these deliveries and scheduling their arrival through April, we are reinforcing domestic supply, supporting critical sectors, and helping ensure that the country remains responsive and resilient amid continued uncertainty in the global oil market.”
In the agency’s oil monitor document published on Tuesday, the price of Dubai crude increased by around $30.00 per barrel, with international prices for gasoline, diesel, and kerosene rising to $16.00, $27.00, and $31.00, respectively.
This is reflected in the staggered price adjustments implemented by local oil companies, which range from P8.00-P11.50/liter for gasoline, P15.00-P18.45/liter for diesel, and P10.00-P23.00/liter for kerosene, resulting in a total net increase of P45.30/liter for gasoline, P76.05/liter for diesel and P75.60/liter for kerosene in the 12th price movement for 2026.
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