Over 300 petrol pumps shut in Philippines due to fuel crisis

A severe fuel crisis has emerged in the Philippines due to the impact of the ongoing war, leading to the closure of over 300 petrol pumps across the country, local authorities have said.

According to government monitoring teams on Monday, March 30, many stations have run out of fuel as supply chains have come under increased pressure.

Data from the Philippine National Police indicates that 365 petrol stations nationwide are currently completely shut down.

The report stated that the ongoing war, which began on February 28, has caused a global fuel supply crisis, directly affecting the Philippine domestic market.

Fuel prices in the country have more than doubled compared to previous rates due to the crisis. As a result, the transport sector has nearly ground to a halt, and the cost of daily commuting and essential goods has risen sharply.

Government sources said the crisis has emerged due to supply shortages in the international market and reduced imports amid instability in the Middle East. Many pump owners have been forced to suspend operations due to a lack of adequate stocks and fears of incurring losses.

Analysts warn that prolonged war conditions could create significant economic pressure on import-dependent countries like the Philippines. Although the government is attempting to secure fuel from alternative sources, the situation has yet to normalise.

Source: Al Jazeera