By IME SORNITO
ILOILO — Iloilo Province has intensified daily surveillance of fuel prices and supply, with Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. warning of “limited” inventories and ordering strict monitoring to prevent hoarding and unjustified price hikes as global oil disruptions persist.
The governor has directed the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) and all 43 local government units (LGUs) to closely track fuel trading and pricing across the province amid continued volatility linked to tensions in the Middle East.
Spearheading the response, Defensor ordered daily submission of monitoring reports covering fuel prices, supply levels, and any signs of hoarding, while authorizing inspections of gasoline stations through the Department of Energy’s (DOE) and LGUs’ visitorial powers.
“That is what we are doing right now,” Defensor said.
Despite the heightened alert, the governor noted that fuel retailers remain compliant with pricing regulations and no abnormal increases have been reported so far.
“Ang siling sang DOE nga maayo ang compliance but we continue to monitor, mga daily reports masulod ina sa aton,” he added.
However, data presented by Engr. Jose Rey Maleza of the DOE-Visayas Field Office during a March 27 meeting revealed a more pressing concern: finite fuel inventories amid uncertain global supply chains.
As of March 20, 2026, the DOE reported that national inventory levels stood at 53.14 days for gasoline, 45.82 days for diesel, 61.49 days for fuel oil, and 23.51 days for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) — figures above mandated requirements but still vulnerable to prolonged disruptions.
Defensor described the situation as “alarming,” not to incite panic but to highlight supply limitations.
“Ang imbentaryo nga ina waay nagasiling ma-untat after 53 days, except that ang supply indi lang gid naton tantiya or kalkulado. Ngaa? Because ang supply sang raw materials nga crude oils sa Middle East but sige negosyar sang gobyerno naton sa iban nga countries,” he explained.
To cushion potential shortages, the national government is negotiating with alternative crude oil suppliers, including countries in South America, Russia, and China.
Defensor said shipments from Russia may have already arrived.
He clarified that finished petroleum products such as diesel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are still being delivered continuously from supplier countries including Japan, China, Malaysia, South Korea, and Singapore, reducing the immediate risk of supply interruption.
Still, authorities are preparing contingency measures. In a worst-case scenario, the DOE may implement a “framework of prioritization,” ensuring that critical sectors such as hospitals and the PNP receive fuel allocation first.
The governor stressed that ongoing conservation efforts by LGUs, private institutions, and households are crucial to avoid triggering such emergency measures.
Meanwhile, Defensor expressed optimism that fuel prices may ease following the move of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to suspend or reduce excise taxes on petroleum products.
“Napirmahan sang President ang suspension or reduction of excise tax. That is the No. 1 measure that we need to do. Ulihi lang na ang mga assistance. We know nga kinahanglan ta gid na pero ang fundamental ang gina-obra para ang iya tupa sa kabilogan — ina ang pagpanubo sang excise tax sa fuel, suspension or reduction,” he said./PN
