Motorists should prepare for mixed fuel price adjustments next week as gasoline prices are expected to rise while diesel may see a significant drop, oil industry sources said on Friday.

Sources told reporters that diesel prices will decline by around P6.00 to P8.00 per liter, but could go down by as much as P9.00 per liter. Gasoline prices, meanwhile, are estimated to increase by about P1.00 to P4.00 per liter, with some projections reaching up to P5.00 per liter.

The Department of Energy has also estimated that diesel prices could go down by around P9.00 per liter next week, while gasoline may increase by up to P5.00 per liter.

Global Factors Driving the Shifts

The contrasting adjustments are largely due to global market reactions to a possible ceasefire between the United States and Iran, local oil industry sources said on Friday.

A potential ceasefire has eased concerns over supply disruptions from the Middle East, pushing down international benchmark prices for diesel. However, gasoline prices remain under upward pressure due to seasonal demand in the United States and refinery maintenance in Asia.

This week, oil companies implemented a price increase: diesel went up by P2.66 per liter, while gasoline rose by P2.21 per liter.

Senator Urges EV Loans Amid Fluctuating Prices

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has renewed his call for state pension funds to provide loan programs that would allow members to purchase electric vehicles, citing the consistently high fuel prices.

"If there are loan facilities for the purchase of EVs, it will help our countrymen who are already struggling due to the continuous increase in the price of gasoline and diesel," the senator said in Filipino.

Gatchalian specifically urged the Social Security System and the Government Service Insurance System to offer these loan programs, noting that the Philippines remains heavily dependent on imported fossil fuel.

The senator argued that shifting to electric vehicles would reduce the country's vulnerability to global oil price swings and provide long-term savings for Filipino motorists.

Previous Week's Roller-Coaster

Last week, oil companies implemented a price decrease: gasoline dropped by P5.70 per liter, diesel by P6.10 per liter, and kerosene by P6.30 per liter.

That marked a reversal after several consecutive weeks of increases. The upcoming adjustments, if confirmed, would mean another week of volatility for consumers.

How Each Fuel Type Is Affected

Based on the latest estimates from oil industry sources and the Department of Energy, the following ranges are expected next week:

Gasoline: increase of P1.00 to P5.00 per liter.

Diesel: decrease of P6.00 to P9.00 per liter.

Final price adjustments will be announced by oil companies on Monday and will take effect on Tuesday.

What This Means for Commuters and Businesses

For public utility vehicle drivers and transport operators, a significant drop in diesel prices will provide immediate relief, as diesel is the primary fuel for jeepneys, buses, and trucks.

However, the rise in gasoline prices will affect private car owners and motorcycle riders, who rely on gasoline for daily commutes.

Businesses that depend on logistics and delivery services, which largely use diesel-powered vehicles, may benefit from lower operating costs. Still, the net impact on overall inflation remains uncertain given the mixed adjustments.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has previously flagged fuel price volatility as a risk to its inflation targets.

Oil companies are expected to release their final advisories over the weekend. Motorists are advised to monitor these announcements and plan their fuel purchases accordingly.

The next set of adjustments will be closely watched as the country continues to navigate the global oil market's ongoing shifts.