ILOILO City – Households in Iloilo City continue to face elevated prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), with 11-kilogram cylinders now selling from around P1,596 up to P1,709, depending on the brand, following recent increases linked to global oil market disruptions.
Oil companies implemented significant price adjustments at the start of April. Petron raised its LPG prices by P20 per kilo, while Solane imposed a P17 per kilo increase, both effective April 1, reflecting higher international contract prices.
Based on these adjustments, the current retail price of an 11-kg tank suggests that consumers are now paying over P180 to P220 more per cylinder compared to rates prior to the latest hike. This marks a sharp jump compared to earlier months, when price increases were relatively minimal.
Earlier this year, LPG adjustments were modest, with only small incremental increases recorded in January and February. However, prices surged in April as tensions in the Middle East disrupted supply chains and drove up global benchmark prices for petroleum products, including LPG.
The Philippines, which relies heavily on imported fuel, is particularly vulnerable to these global fluctuations. Rising contract prices in the international market are quickly reflected in domestic retail rates, affecting household expenses nationwide.
In response, the national government has focused on ensuring adequate supply while encouraging conservation. Under Memorandum Circular No. 114, government agencies were directed to implement energy-saving measures as part of broader efforts to manage the impact of rising fuel costs.
Authorities, including the Department of Energy, have also stepped up monitoring to prevent hoarding and overpricing, warning that violators may face penalties under existing laws such as the Price Act.
Officials have maintained that the country’s fuel supply remains stable, with additional imports being arranged to sustain availability in the coming months.
Despite these assurances, the persistently high LPG prices highlight the continuing burden on households in Iloilo City, where cooking gas remains a daily necessity and a growing expense./PN
