MANILA – Motorists should brace for another round of fuel price increases starting next week, with industry sources forecasting hikes across diesel, gasoline, and kerosene due to rising global crude oil prices and regional market pressures. The adjustments—projected for Tuesday, December 30 or January 6, 2026 (depending on company announcements)—follow a brief pre-Christmas rollback and reflect volatility in the Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) benchmark.
Estimated Price Increases (Per Liter)
| Product | Projected Hike Range | Key Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | P0.50 – P0.90 | Strong demand; supply tightness |
| Gasoline | P0.30 – P0.70 | Crude rebound; year-end inventory draws |
| Kerosene | P0.40 – P0.80 | Similar to diesel trends |
Major oil firms like Shell, Petron, Seaoil, and Cleanfuel typically announce exact figures on Mondays. The hikes reverse some of the December 23 rollback (gasoline -P0.80, diesel -P1.30, kerosene -P1.60), but net increases for 2025 remain high (~P20+ per liter YoY for gasoline/diesel).
Analysts attribute the uptick to:
- Global Crude: Brent hovering near $75-78/barrel on OPEC+ decisions and geopolitical risks.
- Regional Supply: Asian refineries adjusting for holiday demand and maintenance.
- Peso Impact: Slight depreciation adding import costs.
For commuters and transporters wrapping up holiday travel, this post-Christmas adjustment means tighter budgets into the new year—plan refuels early if possible.
Current Average Pump Prices (Metro Manila, late Dec 2025):
- Gasoline: ~P55-60/liter
- Diesel: ~P53-58/liter
Stay updated via DOE or company advisories for final figures.