The Department of Energy (DOE), in partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), has launched an electronic complaint platform allowing consumers to report gasoline stations suspected of violating fuel pricing rules or facing supply shortages.
According to the DOE, complaints can be filed through the eReport tab on the eGov PH App by selecting “Gas Station Concerns,” providing details, and indicating whether the issue is ongoing or previously observed.
Issues the Public Can Report:
- Panic buying or unusually long queues
- Fuel hoarding or excessive purchases beyond normal needs
- Sudden and steep fuel price increases within a week
- Unauthorized price hikes or violations of pricing regulations
- Refusal to sell fuel to customers
- Fuel shortages or limited supply at stations
The DOE said it is coordinating with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to strengthen monitoring against hoarding and profiteering. Authorities confirmed that initial reports of irregularities have already surfaced in parts of Luzon and Mindanao.
The development comes as the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping corridor, has reportedly been closed amid conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. The strait connects major Gulf oil producers to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, making it the world’s most vital oil export route.
Earlier, the DOE’s Oil Industry Management Bureau projected possible fuel price increases this week of:
- ₱9 per liter for gasoline
- ₱19 per liter for diesel
- ₱31 per liter for kerosene
The DOE said it will appeal to oil companies to stagger price hikes to ease the impact on consumers.
DOE Reference Price Ranges (March 6–9):
- Gasoline (RON 97/100): ₱53.70 – ₱76.50 per liter
- Gasoline (RON 95): ₱50.00 – ₱71.04 per liter
- Gasoline (RON 91): ₱49.00 – ₱64.70 per liter
- Diesel: ₱49.00 – ₱66.59 per liter
- Diesel Plus: ₱56.80 – ₱74.81 per liter
- Kerosene: ₱78.90 – ₱99.89 per liter