Motorists across the country are bracing for another hit to their fuel budgets as oil companies roll out a fresh round of pump price increases on Tuesday, January 20, extending a streak of upward adjustments early in the year.
In advisories released Monday, Seaoil Philippines Corp. and Shell Pilipinas Corp. said gasoline prices will go up by ₱1.00 per liter, while diesel will rise by ₱2.00 per liter. Kerosene users will see an additional ₱1.50 per liter.
Cleanfuel and Petro Gazz announced matching increases for gasoline and diesel, though they do not sell kerosene. Most companies will implement the adjustments at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, while Cleanfuel will apply the hike later in the day at 4:01 p.m.
Other oil firms have yet to announce their own price movements, but industry watchers expect similar adjustments in the coming days, following the usual pattern of near-uniform pricing shifts across the sector.
This week’s increase marks the second straight hike for gasoline and the fourth consecutive upward move for both diesel and kerosene, reinforcing concerns that the recent period of relative fuel price stability may be giving way to a more volatile phase.
The Department of Energy-Oil Industry Management Bureau had earlier warned of impending increases, pointing to rising uncertainty in global oil markets. In particular, escalating tensions involving Iran have renewed fears of supply disruptions, a risk that often translates quickly into higher crude prices and, eventually, steeper costs at local pumps.
Just last week, fuel retailers raised prices by ₱0.30 per liter for gasoline, ₱0.20 for diesel, and ₱0.30 for kerosene. The sharper adjustments this week suggest mounting pressure from international benchmarks, despite the absence so far of any actual supply cutoff.
For commuters, transport operators, and households, the renewed climb adds to inflation worries at a time when fuel costs continue to influence everything from jeepney fares to food prices.
With geopolitical risks still in play, motorists may need to prepare for more price swings in the weeks ahead, as global developments once again dictate what Filipinos pay at the pump.