By Joann Villanueva

GAS UP. Riders queue at a gasoline station along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on Thursday (March 5, 2026). The Department of Energy on Monday (March 9) assured that measures are now in place to protect consumers against erring firms amid the up to PHP38 per liter hike in fuel prices this week as a result of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. (PNA file photo by Joan Bondoc)

MANILA – The Department of Energy (DOE) has issued show-cause orders against 55 gas stations over reports of excessive fuel price hikes, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said Monday, assuring the public that the government is acting to protect consumers.

“We have assessed 87 reports, around 26 of which are from Metro Manila, and issued show-cause orders to 55 oil firms. They have 24 hours to explain why their permits should not be canceled,” Garin said in a briefing.

She added that if violations are confirmed, the DOE will request local governments to revoke the erring stations’ business permits.

Since Friday, the DOE has been coordinating with police and local governments to closely monitor fuel firms following reports that some are taking advantage of the recent international price surge.

The DOE also released a list of oil companies that have submitted their scheduled price increases this week, following surges in the international market, which breached USD100 per barrel last Friday. The hikes were triggered by ongoing military operations involving US and Israel and Iran, affecting oil supplies.

“We have asked the oil companies to police their own gas stations or franchises para i-comply itong mga suggested prices,” Garin said.

She reassured the public that domestic fuel supply remains sufficient.

“We have enough supply until the end of April and we have time to order more,” she said. “Oil firms have also placed orders beyond April. So there’s no shortage. What will distort the market is if unscrupulous people hoard,” she added.

DOE has also partnered with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to establish the eGovPH Complaint Center via the eGov mobile app, allowing the public to report panic buying, hoarding, or non-compliance with fuel pricing.

Price adjustments

Meanwhile, fuel price adjustments for this week will be as follows:

Shell — Gasoline up PHP8.75/L (PHP5.25 Tue, PHP2.65 Wed, PHP0.85 Thu); diesel PHP24.25/L; kerosene PHP36/L.

Petron — Gasoline PHP8.80/L; diesel PHP19.20/L; kerosene PHP32/L.

Total — Gasoline PHP10.20/L; diesel PHP20.20/L.

Chevron — Gasoline PHP7/L; diesel PHP17.50; kerosene PHP38.50 over seven days.

Jetti Petroleum — Gasoline PHP9/L; diesel PHP19/L.

Seaoil Philippines — Gasoline PHP11–13/L; diesel PHP21–23/L; kerosene PHP33–35/L (Tue–Thu). (PNA)