With fuel prices rising sharply this March 2026, mainly due to tensions in the Middle East, managing these costs now means combining quick savings with longer-term changes to your habits.
Here are some of the best ways to deal with the current price increases:
1. Take Advantage of Current Promotions and Apps
Many oil companies and banks now offer relief programs to help with the recent price increases.
PriceLOCQ (Seaoil): This app is a great tool at the moment. You can buy fuel at today’s prices and use it later, locking in the rate before the next increase. Seaoil also has partnerships with RCBC and Atome, where you can get up to ₱5.00 off per liter.
If you have an EastWest Visa credit card, you can get ₱7.00 off per liter at Unioil stations until March 31, 2026. Security Bank has a 5% cashback, up to ₱300 per month, when you spend at least ₱2,000 on fuel.
Look at the Department of Energy or DOE’s new list of stations with programs like Petron’s Value Card or Shell Go+, where you can turn points into cash.
2. Watch for Government Relief Measures
The Philippine government is taking steps to help manage the effects of crude oil prices going over $100 per barrel.
Staggered Hikes: The DOE is working with oil companies to raise prices gradually rather than making a single big jump.
Fuel Subsidies: If you work in transport or agriculture, the LTFRB will soon give out ₱2.5 billion in subsidies. Make sure your documents are up to date so you can get these vouchers.
Proposed Excise Tax Cuts: Watch for updates about suspending fuel excise taxes. President Marcos has said he plans to ask Congress for permission to lower these taxes if prices keep changing.
3. Quick Ways to Save Right Now
The current national advice is to cut fuel use by 10%. Even small changes can make a real difference:
Vehicle Maintenance: Keeping your tires at the right pressure and making sure your engine is tuned can boost fuel efficiency by 3-4%.
The Carpooling needs to come back. Since the government is recommending 4-day work weeks for some sectors, sharing rides with neighbors or coworkers is once again a smart way to save money.
Use the DOE’s official Facebook page or website to find the “Summary of Oil Companies Promos,” which lists specific stations offering lower rates or additional discounts.
4. Long-Term Energy Resilience
If you’re looking to insulate yourself from future volatility, consider Solar Power. Switching to solar at home can cut your monthly electricity bills by 50-70%, since they often rise when fuel prices rise. In the Philippines, most home systems pay for themselves in about 3 to 4 years.
EV Consideration: If you are planning a vehicle upgrade, the current crisis highlights the stability of electric vehicle (EV) charging costs compared to the volatility of the global oil market.
You can also check out the renewable energy devices we’ve featured here at TGXP³.
Also, let’s hope the war in the Middle East ends soon.