MANILA, Philippines — After a brief interruption in the downward trend, Filipino motorists can look forward to significant relief as diesel prices are projected to see a substantial rollback starting Tuesday, May 12, 2026. estimates from the Department of Energy (DOE) published on Sunday, May 10, the price drop is driven by progress in Middle East peace negotiations.
While diesel and kerosene users will see lower prices, gasoline users may face a slight increase due to seasonal demand.
Industry sources and the DOE have provided the following estimates based on the first four days of international oil trading:
| Fuel Type | Estimated Adjustment | Projected Metro Manila Price Range |
| Diesel | ₱7.00 to ₱9.00 Decrease | ₱70.62 – ₱98.48 per liter |
| Kerosene | ₱12.00 to ₱13.30 Decrease | Varies by retailer |
| Gasoline | ₱1.00 to ₱3.00 Increase | ₱73.21 – ₱110.11 per liter |
The “significant drop” in diesel prices marks a return to market-based pricing as the geopolitical tensions that spiked costs earlier in the year begin to ease.
- Middle East Peace Talks: The primary catalyst for the rollback is the reported progress in peace negotiations, which has reduced the “war premium” previously tacked onto global crude prices.
- Seasonal Gasoline Demand: Unlike diesel, gasoline is seeing upward pressure due to “supply tightness” caused by high seasonal demand for travel during the summer months.
- National Energy Emergency: Under the current state of national energy emergency declared in March, the DOE has the authority to dictate minimum rollbacks and impose limits on price hikes to protect consumers.
If the full ₱9.00 rollback for diesel is implemented, it will be one of the largest single-week price cuts since the double-digit rollback seen in mid-April.
- Public Transport: The drop is expected to provide much-needed breathing room for jeepney and bus operators who have been struggling with volatile overhead costs.
- Logistics: Large-scale transport of goods, which relies heavily on premium diesel, will see a noticeable reduction in fuel expenses.
- Agriculture: Farmers using diesel-powered machinery for the current harvest season will benefit from the decreased operational costs.
Oil firms are scheduled to make their official announcements on Monday, May 11, with the changes taking effect at 6:00 AM on Tuesday. Motoring public is advised to time their refueling accordingly to take advantage of the looming price cut.