Motorists may need to brace themselves for the holiday season as Christmas week is anticipated to bring another round of oil price hikes.
Based on four-day Means of Platts Singapore (MOPS) trading and the average forex rate, analysts expect gasoline prices to increase by P0.35 to P0.80 per liter, while diesel prices could rise by P1.10 to P1.60 per liter.
The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) attributed these price adjustments to a stronger US dollar and declining crude oil supply in the United States.
Jetti Petroleum president Leo Bellas added that continued oil price volatility is driven by tighter sanctions on Russia, which could lead to supply concerns.
Limited exports from China and South Korea are also contributing to tighter diesel and gasoline output, further affecting price movements. However, gasoline supply is believed to be sufficient to offset any potential increase and ensure adequate fuel availability in the market.
This week, both gasoline and diesel prices climbed by P0.80 per liter due to delayed output increases from OPEC+ nations. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) also plans to reduce its oil shipments to Asia.