The Department of Energy (DOE) warned that the latest oil price increase could eventually push up electricity rates and the prices of consumer goods.

Vegetable prices at the one Pangasinan market in Pangasinan remain stable, as of this writing.

DOE urged power distribution utilities to maximize the use of cheaper fuel sources to help cushion the impact of higher oil prices.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said oil accounts for only a small share of the country's power generation mix. She said higher electricity rates are more likely to be driven by the rising cost of transporting coal and other operating expenses rather than oil prices alone.

The Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association (PAGASA) also said the fuel price hike could lead to higher prices for some consumer products.

In contrast, vegetable prices at the Mangaldan Public Market in Pangasinan have yet to reflect the impact of the latest oil price increase.

Instead of rising, the prices of several lowland and highland vegetables have dropped by P20 to P40 per kilogram.

Current prices include eggplant at P50-P60 per kilogram; bitter gourd, okra, and string beans at P60 per kilogram; squash at P30 per kilogram; and bottle gourd at P20-P30 each.

Lowland vegetable vendor Lanie Marcella said lower prices have encouraged more consumers to buy vegetables.

"Bumaba po lahat ng gulay. Pag mura kasi, maraming bumibili pero pag mahal, 'di nila afford kasi," she said.

Among highland vegetables, carrots sell for P50-P80 per kilogram, potatoes P60-P100, wombok and cabbage P40, lettuce P140, and bell peppers P120-P160 per kilogram.

Highland vegetable vendor Mary Jane Salvatin said prices remain manageable but expects the effects of the oil price hike to be felt in the coming days.

"Medyo okay pa naman kasi bumaba. Baka wala pa, baka next week," she said.

The Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) also reported normal trading operations.

According to Octavia Ablos, officer-in-charge of the BAPTC Trading Operation Division, around 100 farmers' trucks are delivering vegetables daily from different production areas.

"Nag-a-average tayo as of today ng 100 farmers' truck na nagde-deliver ng mga gulay from different production sources," she said.

However, the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) said changes in vegetable supply and demand in the coming days could still affect market prices.