Motorists are set to feel significant relief at gas stations this week as the various fuel retailers announce major rollbacks in fuel prices, the steepest thus far this year.
Starting Tuesday, 15 April, gasoline prices will drop by ₱3.60 per liter, diesel by ₱2.90, and kerosene by ₱3.30, marking the largest weekly downward adjustments for all three fuel products in 2025 so far.
Oil firms Seaoil and Caltex confirmed the cuts, while Clean Fuel announced similar adjustments for gasoline and diesel. Clean Fuel does not carry kerosene products.
The rollback also marks the second consecutive week of price cuts for gasoline and kerosene, with total reductions now amounting to ₱3.70 and ₱3.80 per liter, respectively.
Industry players attributed the steep drop in pump prices to weakening global crude oil benchmarks, driven by mounting fears of declining demand amid escalating trade tensions between the United States and China.
“Crude prices are falling because the trade war is hurting global demand outlooks,” said an independent fuel retailer.
Jetti Petroleum Inc. president Leo Bellas echoed the sentiment, noting that “the growing risk of weakening demand and rising production from OPEC and its allies could hinder a major rebound in oil prices.”
Rodela Romero, director of the Department of Energy’s Oil Industry Management Bureau, cited additional factors, including Saudi Arabia’s planned price cut for Asia-bound crude in May and an expected ramp-up in OPEC production from an earlier target of 13,500 barrels per day to 441,000 barrels per day.
As of 8 April, DOE data shows fuel prices in Metro Manila costing ₱56.35 for gasoline (RON91), ₱53.10 for diesel, and ₱71.37 for kerosene. Despite the rollback, fuel prices remain elevated versus the start of the year, with net increases of ₱4.55 for gasoline, ₱4.45 for diesel, and ₱0.40 for kerosene recorded year-to-date.
Still, motorists are expected to welcome the back-to-back rollbacks, offering some cushion against the recent rise in transportation and commodity costs.
