Quezonins are bracing for more expensive fuel, a consequence of rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Governor Angelina “Doktora Helen” Tan, meanwhile, is calling on all residents to be mindful of their resource consumption, given the rising costs.
The ongoing conflict in Iran, which has spilled over to almost the entire Middle East, is pushing up the cost of crude oil worldwide, which in turn affects the daily expenses of drivers, businesses, and families.
The Department of Energy (DOE) cites persistent Middle Eastern conflicts as the primary factor behind the surge in worldwide oil prices.
Currently, crude oil is trading between $90 and $95 per barrel, a situation that suggests further price hikes are likely in the near future.
Oil price hike
As of March 10, Quezonins are feeling the pinch. Oil prices are climbing relentlessly throughout the province.
Gasoline is now priced at ₱77.75 per liter, while diesel sits at ₱74.75 per liter.
This has pushed families and businesses to cut back on spending, leading to reduced consumption of non-essential goods and services, which further impacts the local economy. Quezonins Feel the Pinch.
Every sector is reeling from the oil crisis.
Teacher May Ester Rubio, 46, shared her concerns: “Nakakatakot kasi hindi lang gasolina ang tataas, kundi lahat ng bilihin. Kung maging sobrang mahal na talaga, baka maglakad na lang ako papuntang paaralan para makatipid. Paano pa kung mawalan pa ng supply ng gasolina? Sumusuporta ako sa apat na araw na pasok dahil alam kong marami sa aming mga mag-aaral ang mahihirapan sa pagtaas ng pamasahe at bilihin.”
Students are also hit hard. College student Maria Lopez, 19, from Lucena also shared her worries.
“Hindi na talaga sapat ang allowance ko araw-araw," she told.
A significant portion of her allowance goes toward tricycle fares, she noted, which means she has to cut back, even on food.
Businesses hurt, too
For those in business, the increasing cost of fuel is a significant hurdle. Jonathan Cruz, 54, owner of a small grocery in Lucena, shared details of the impact on his business.
“Napapansin ko rin na mas marami nang namimili ng tingi o pumipili ng mas murang brand para makatipid,” Cruz explained to Opinyon Quezonin.
Allan Obciana, 57, a tricycle driver from Tayabas, said he barely brings home any money now while plying his route from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m.
“Noong una, kahit papaano ay may naipapasok pa ako sa bahay, pero ngayon, halos lahat ng kinikita ko ay napupunta na lang sa pangkain at gasolina. Malaking tulong na sana kung mayroong tulong o ayuda mula sa gobyerno,” Obciana stated.
Van driver Ando Gandia, 49, who travels between Tayabas and SM Lucena, shared details on his reduced earnings.
“Dati, nakakauwi ako ng ₱700 mula sa dalawang balikang biyahe, pero ngayon ay ₱500 na lang. Wala pa kaming plano na magtaas ng pamasahe, pero kung patuloy na tataas ang presyo ng gasolina, mapipilitan kaming alisin na ang mga diskuwento para sa mga estudyante at senior citizen,” Gandia told Opinyon Quezonin.
Currently, van fares remain at ₱50.
Even ordinary commuters are feeling the impact of higher fuel prices.
Rosenda Perez, a 45-year-old vendor, often relies on tricycles for transportation in Lucena. She explained the changes she's made to her routine.
“Halos araw-araw akong sumasakay ng tricycle papunta sa palengke at para puntahan ang mga suki ko. Noong una, kaya pa ito ng maliit na pera, pero ngayon ay ramdam na ramdam ko ang pagtaas ng pamasahe. Minsan, imbes na sumakay ng dalawang beses, nilalakad ko na lang ang ibang bahagi ng daanan para makatipid. Sana naman ay may paraan para hindi na tuluyang tumaas pa ang pamasahe – napakahirap na lalo para sa mga kagaya naming kulang sa badyet,” Perez lamented.
Appeal for help and action
Governor Tan has taken action to the crisis by issuing Executive Order No. DHT-08, Series of 2026, which mandates that all provincial government agencies, offices, and units implement stringent fuel conservation measures.
The goal is to ensure both efficient and responsible fuel use.
The order also aims to maintain uninterrupted public services, even with the current supply and price crisis.
Pooling vehicles, scheduling trips efficiently, and prioritizing necessary travel are all part of the plan. Virtual meetings are becoming a common practice, too.
Non-essential trips, particularly those that require leaving the province, are being cut back.
Preventive maintenance is a priority, too, to keep vehicles and equipment running smoothly. Any vehicles that aren't in excellent shape will be taken out of service until they're fixed.
The government pledged that essential services, including ambulances, emergency response teams, and disaster operations, would continue without interruption throughout the implementation process.
Several local government units in Quezon have implemented a four-day workweek, a move designed to cut down on expenses related to transportation and energy consumption.
This situation starkly illustrates how global happenings have a direct impact on the financial well-being of every Quezonin.
"Maghigpit ng sinturon" isn't just a phrase anymore; it's a reality that Quezonins are about to experience.
(Reports by Anna Gob, Russel Roales and Sol Luzano)
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