Hazel Nojo's bill at a petrol station in Cebu, Philippines on March 28, 2026. EXPAT MEDIA

While motorists in the UAE are watching for the next fuel price adjustment, drivers in the Philippines are confronting rising costs in real time, as petrol prices surge past ₱120 per litre (around Dh7.50), nearly three times higher than in the UAE. The sharp increase comes amid ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route that handles around 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supply. The disruption has pushed global oil prices higher, driving up fuel costs across import-dependent economies, particularly in Asia. Countries such as Japan, South Korea, India, China, Thailand, Bangladesh and the Philippines have been among the most affected, as they rely heavily on Middle Eastern oil. In China, diesel prices have risen by as much as 25 percent, while Thailand has introduced fuel price caps and energy-saving measures. Vietnam has reported fuel shortages, prompting calls to reduce private vehicle use, and Bangladesh has seen aviation fuel prices more than double. In the Philippines, where about 98 percent of crude oil is imported, the impact has been immediate. Hazel Nojo, a Cebu-based resident, said she recently paid ₱2,000 (around Dh125) for just 16.16 litres of fuel priced at ₱123.70 per litre (around Dh7.73) at a petrol station in Minglanilla on Saturday (March 28). At current UAE fuel rates, motorists pay between Dh2.40 and Dh2.59 per litre, highlighting the stark price difference. “Before, a full tank cost me around ₱4,800 to ₱5,000. Now my ₱2,000 is just one-fourth, not even half,” Nojo told Expat Media. She said the price spike is the highest she has seen in more than two decades of driving. “It’s not a joke. ₱123 per litre is the most expensive in my 20-plus years of driving,” she said. To manage costs, Nojo said she has reduced travel and adjusted her routine. “From twice a week going to the office, now it’s once a week or only if I have to. I schedule all errands in one trip. If walking is an option, we walk,” she said. Another Cebu resident, Frances Anne, said she has started relying more on public transport to cut expenses. “It’s more economical. I also get to save time and money on finding a paid parking space,” she told Expat Media. As of late March, gasoline prices in the Philippines have been hovering between ₱110 and ₱120 per litre (around Dh6.90 to Dh7.50), placing it among the highest in Southeast Asia, despite lower average incomes compared to countries like Singapore. The wider economic impact is also being felt across the region, with rising transport costs contributing to inflation and increasing pressure on households and businesses. Several governments have introduced countermeasures, including subsidies, fuel price caps and energy-saving policies such as reduced working days, higher air-conditioning temperature limits, and remote work arrangements. In response to the situation, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr declared a state of national energy emergency last week, allowing the government to accelerate fuel procurement and act against hoarding and price manipulation. Transport groups have called for stronger intervention, including price caps, while the government has rolled out support measures such as ₱5,000 (around Dh312) subsidies for transport workers and free bus rides in selected areas. ICA/Expat Media
For all the latest news from the UAE and the world, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube page