Queues formed at Philippine petrol stations and officials warned against hoarding as residents raced to fill their tanks ahead of an expected surge in prices driven by the US-Israeli conflict against Iran.
Fuel costs will tick up between 17 and 24 pesos (RM1.15 to RM1.59) per litre this week, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin told a congressional committee yesterday, as oil prices soared on fears about supplies from the Middle East.
The expected increase, which was not broken down by specific product, will be spread out over several days, she said.
“Some companies have volunteered not to impose the increase in one day. They’re staggered over three days or five days, depending on the company,” Garin explained in a televised interview.
“We have to remember these are not regulated prices. They just have to inform us what the increases are and justify it,” she said.
At a petrol station in Metro Manila, AFP journalists saw motorcycles, taxis and private cars queuing in scorching heat.
Gas station attendant Enrico Guda, 31, said the normal number of vehicles the station handled in a day had doubled to about 1,000 as customers sought to fuel up before prices jumped.
“The line started 24 hours ago. Morning, afternoon, even at dawn,” he said.
Francis Aranda, a 25-year-old university student, Said the spike “hurts”.
“I’m planning to use half my (weekly) fuel allowance so I won’t have to worry in the coming days in case the conflict in Iran continues,” he said.
Police, meanwhile, have been instructed “to inspect gasoline stations in their localities... and gather evidence of profiteering or hoarding”, Philippine National Police spokesman Brigadier General Randulf Tuano told a news briefing. — AFP
