Petroleum supply ‘very stable’ – DOE

CEBU, Philippines — The country's petroleum supply levels remain stable, according to the Department of Energy (DOE), as it outlined a wide range of possible fuel price adjustments after months of economic challenges brought about by tensions in the Middle East.

In its virtual conference yesterday, Rino Abad, director of the DOE's Oil Industry Management Bureau (DOE-OIMB), said that based on the regular Friday inventory monitoring conducted as of June 5, 2026, the country's petroleum supply remains “very stable” across all major fuel products.

Gasoline registered 44.81 days of supply, while diesel stood at 45.21 days. Kerosene was recorded at 143 days, jet fuel at 73.25 days, fuel oil at 41 days, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at 45 days of supply.

According to Abad, these levels reflect steady availability across the fuel supply chain despite global and regional uncertainties.

On price adjustments, he explained that oil companies may implement a range of changes depending on global market movements and cost components such as premiums, freight, insurance, foreign exchange fluctuations, and other local expenses.

For gasoline, adjustments may range from a decrease of P1.70 per liter to an increase of P0.30 per liter. Diesel prices may increase by P3.77 to P5.77 per liter, while kerosene may see an increase ranging from P6.10 to P8.10 per liter.

Abad added that the range was designed to account for differences between European Union-based computations and industry estimates, as well as variations in local cost structures among oil firms.

Doe now on the watch

In the same briefing, DOE officials also discussed broader energy sector coordination efforts involving the Mindanao earthquake response, noting continued collaboration among the Department of Energy, the National Electrification Administration (NEA), TransCo, and other stakeholders in generation, transmission, and distribution.

DOE Secretary Sharon Garin said the department is also working to establish further coordination with additional agencies and utilities, including efforts to engage water and infrastructure partners, as part of broader recovery and resilience discussions alongside the ongoing restoration of power in affected areas.

Garin encouraged the public to formally report any suspected fuel price violations through official government channels, particularly the eGov platform, following social media reports alleging that some gasoline stations increase prices before the scheduled weekly fuel price adjustments announced every Tuesday.

She explained that reports submitted through the eGov system are automatically routed to the appropriate agencies, including the DOE, local government units, and law enforcement authorities, allowing faster verification and investigation.

She clarified, however, that a fuel station is only considered in violation if it exceeds the allowable price adjustment.

She noted that some stations may implement staggered increases several times before the official adjustment date. This does not automatically constitute a violation as long as the cumulative increase remains within the prescribed limit.

She urged consumers who observe potential irregularities to document them properly, including taking photographs and gathering relevant details, before submitting reports through official channels.

Garin emphasized that all complaints will undergo due process and verification. If an investigation confirms a violation, the department said appropriate legal action will be pursued against the concerned establishment.— (FREEMAN)