Oil firms confirmed price rollbacks effective 6 a.m. Tuesday, April 14, matching Department of Energy projections: diesel down P20.89 to P23 per liter, gasoline P4.43 to P4.50, and kerosene P8.50. The cuts end surges of over P100 on diesel since late February's Middle East crisis. President Marcos suspended excise taxes on LPG and kerosene, while a jeepney subsidy launches.
MANILA, Philippines — Following weeks of fuel price hikes triggered by Middle East tensions since late February—part of a series of increases including P12+ on diesel and record highs up to P170 per liter in some areas—the Department of Energy projected sharp rollbacks starting April 14, confirmed by major oil firms the next day.
On April 12, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin announced minimum reductions based on international crude trends: diesel P20.89/liter, gasoline P4.43, kerosene P8.50—exceeding some industry estimates. Petron listed gasoline down P4.43, diesel P20.89, kerosene P8.50; PetroGazz diesel P20.95, gasoline P4.50; Seaoil and Flying V similar; Jetti diesel P2.70 (outlier). Prices remain high at P120-P130/liter for some products.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called the relief a 'big help but not enough,' announcing on April 13 the suspension of excise taxes on LPG and kerosene for further cuts, and vowing more interventions. The DOE also launched a P10/liter subsidy pilot for jeepneys at 52 Metro Manila stations (up to 150 liters weekly for 18,000 drivers), though groups like Piston deem it inadequate, demanding VAT/excise tax cuts.