By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — Fuel retailers in this town are bracing for possible sharp increases in pump prices as global supply disruptions linked to ongoing conflict abroad begin to affect local fuel inventories.
Some gasoline stations in the municipality have already adjusted prices, while others are waiting for official directives from oil companies before implementing changes.
Gerry Bleza, owner of a Caltex station and a 7-Eleven Supermart along the national highway here, said his outlet has not yet received instructions from Chevron Philippines Inc., which operates the Caltex fuel brand in the country.
“As of now, there is no advice from Chevron Philippines regarding a price change,” Bleza said. “Retailers do not change prices until we receive the details—how much the adjustment will be and when it should take effect. We just wait for the announcement.”
But independent retailers said they are already feeling the impact of higher depot prices.
Wilmar Sabana, owner of Supreme Gas Stations in San Francisco, said the cost of diesel at fuel depots had already increased as early as last Friday.
“The last price before the increase was about ₱56 per liter. It gradually went up, and now in San Francisco it’s already around ₱70,” Sabana said in Cebuano.
Sabana said the full effect of the increase may be felt by motorists starting Tuesday, when most fuel stations implement weekly price adjustments.
He estimated that diesel prices could reach around ₱80 per liter, noting that depot prices have already climbed to around ₱75 per liter, excluding transport and trucking costs.
“Tomorrow we will know the exact price,” he said.
As of Monday morning, Sabana said prevailing pump prices among several stations in San Francisco ranged as follows:
· Premium gasoline (P): about ₱61.10 to ₱65.50 per liter
· Regular gasoline (R): about ₱60.10 to ₱64.50 per liter
· Diesel (D): about ₱62.10 to ₱70 per liter
Sabana said fuel retailers buy petroleum products daily at prices dictated by global trading.
“Petroleum is like gold,” he said. “Our purchase price depends on the daily trading price. If it becomes expensive today, then our purchase price is also expensive today—but we can only adjust pump prices during the scheduled weekly changes.”
He also warned that prolonged global conflict could push prices even higher in the coming weeks.
“If the war does not stop by March, diesel could reach ₱200 per liter next month,” Sabana said, citing depot information indicating that Shell plc diesel prices had already reached about ₱107 per liter.
Sabana added that supply concerns are also emerging because fuel shipments have slowed.
“Stocks are becoming difficult because there is no replenishment. No ships are arriving since there is no loading abroad due to the war,” he said. “Our oil reserves are going down and there is no replenishment. If the war continues for several months, we might really face a shortage.”
He said several fuel stations in the area have already temporarily closed due to a lack of available stocks.
Local fuel retailers said they are closely monitoring developments in the global oil market and awaiting official pricing advisories from oil companies before making further adjustments at the pump.
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