Filipino drivers can expect a mixed bag of fuel price changes next week. Gasoline is projected to rise in price, while diesel and kerosene continue to decrease. The Bureau of Oil Industry of the Department of Energy has confirmed that changes due to international trading of fuel over the past few days will be implemented. gmanetwork
Prices of Gasoline Expected to Increase!
Gasoline underwent a price reduction of P0.40 per liter last week, and is now projected to rise by around P0.50 per liter. Some industry experts anticipate that the increase would be much higher at P0.60 per liter, completely negating the modest relief drivers received at the beginning of this month. philstar
The price increase will be implemented in the month of August even after there were multiple weeks of price decreases throughout July. This suggests that there is some sort of market forces in relation to this fuel. For families that own cars and spend much of their household money on fuel, this is yet another hurdle to contend along with the ongoing inflation.
Bigger Cuts in the Prices of Kerosene and Diesel
While the public remains affected by the rise in gasoline prices, diesel is expected to decrease by about P0.70 per liter. Kerosene, which is used for cooking and lighting in most Filipino households, is also expected to decrease by as much as P1.00 per liter. gmanetwork
Impact of Lower Diesel Prices
The public transportation and diesel-operated jeepney sectors have been grapbling with the cost of fuel in 2025. The reduced cost of diesel is, thus, welcoming for bus operators as it marks the continuation of last week’s significant P1.50 per liter decrease in diesel prices. This also ensures a lower cost of fuel for commercial vehicles and delivery services. philstar
The Reasons Behind the Fluctuating Prices
The reported factors by the Department of Energy Pricing have assigned to the blending and oil markets the following price adjustments:
Impact of Global Supplies on the Market
Increased inventory levels of the global market have been created by the aggressive production increase from the OPEC+ countries. This, in turn, exerts a negative impact on the price of diesel and kerosene. An example of this is the US Energy Information Administration’s August Short-Term Outlook which highlights this supply increase as contributing to reduced prices. gmanetwork
Geopolitical developments
The relaxation of trade initiatives between the United States and China has also added to the overall market stability. However, ongoing negotiations between America and Russia about Ukraine may introduce some volatility in the coming weeks. philstar
Current Price Snapshot
Metro Manila fuel prices are as follows:
Premium Gasoline (RON97/100): P68.18 per liter
Regular Gasoline (RON95): P58.80 per liter
Diesel: P56.00 per liter
Kerosene: P74.90 per liter philstar
As mentioned in the article, oil companies will officially announce their pricing changes on August 18 with implementation the following day. The DOE will continue to monitor international market changes, since the global demand forecast predicts an increase of 1.38 million barrels per day in 2026, which could impact pricing. philstar
For Filipino consumers dealing with these unstable prices, the combination of rising and falling prices presents a complex balance of rewards and challenges based on their fuel preference.