Motorists rush to gas stations ahead of oil price hike

Many motorists in Quezon City headed to gas stations on Monday night and early Tuesday morning to gas up before the mega oil price hike was to take effect.

Some gas stations ran out of diesel as early as 10 p.m. Monday, according to a report by James Agustin on Unang Balita on Tuesday.

At 11 p.m. Monday, the queue of vehicles was long at a gas station along Commonwealth Avenue.

Motorcycle taxi rider Randolfh Celino said he passed by six gas stations which had long lines before he fell in line at a gas station on Commonwealth Avenue.

"Masakit sa ulo talaga 'yan ano. Dagdag na naman sa gastusin 'yung pagtaas na naman ng gasolina," he said.

(That's really causing headaches. The increase in gasoline prices is an added expense.)

Asked what he would do to cope with the rising cost of fuel, he said he'll just work harder.

"Sipag lang. Kahit malayo 'yung mga biyahe, kuha lang nang kuha para sa gasolina at pangkain ng pamilya," Celino said.

(Diligence. Even if the trip is far, just get the booking so you'll have money for gasoline and food for the family.)

TNVS driver Jobert also said he'll just add more hours driving.

"Para kumita ka, dagdag ka na lang oras," he said.

(To earn, just add more hours.)

Taxi driver Alex Germono said his income of P400 from 24 hours of driving just went to fuel.

"Kailangan matulungan kami kahit papaano. Sana bumaba ang gasolina, hindi tataas para 'yung kita, sapat sa pamilya namin," he said.

(We need assistance. I hope the price of gasoline will go down, not up so what we will earn will be enough for our family's needs.)

Pump attendants at one gas station which ran out of diesel said they do not know when their supply would arrive.

The Department of Energy (DOE) announced on Monday the maximum permitted price adjustments for the week starting Tuesday, July 21, as follows:

• Gasoline: Up to P3.65 per liter
• Diesel: Up to P10.68 per liter
• Kerosene: Up to P11.77 per liter

The oil price hike came after the reescalation of tensions between the United States and Iran in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, after 6 a.m. Tuesday, the line of motorists at one gas station along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City became shorter. The gas station adjusted its prices at 6 a.m.

The DOE is conducting inspections on gas stations to ensure there is no hoarding and no unlawful price increases above the mandated adjustments, DOE-Oil Management Bureau director Rino Abad said in an interview on Unang Balita on Tuesday. —KG, GMA News