Philippine Consumers Face 11th Consecutive Week of Fuel Price Hikes

As of late March 2026, Philippine consumers are facing a severe economic challenge as fuel prices have surged for 11 consecutive weeks.

This ongoing crisis, driven primarily by geopolitical instability in the Middle East, has placed immense strain on the nation, which imports almost all of its oil.

Because of the Oil Deregulation Law, the government cannot directly cap prices, leaving motorists at the mercy of volatile global market trends.

In response, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a national energy emergency to streamline government intervention.

Meanwhile, the Department of Energy is working to diversify fuel sources to ensure long-term supply security.

For now, many Filipinos are adjusting their daily habits, leading to reduced traffic in cities like Metro Manila as everyone attempts to manage their shrinking budgets during this difficult period.