TARLAC CITY, Tarlac (April 14, 2026) — Residents and motorists across the province woke up to a rare sight at the pumps this Tuesday morning as fuel prices took a massive plunge. However, the celebratory honking might be short-lived.
In a move announced by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last Sunday, a substantial rollback took effect on April 14, slashing diesel prices by approximately P21 per liter. Gasoline and kerosene prices also saw significant reductions, dropping by around P6 and P10 per liter, respectively.
On the post of the Tarlac City Government, diesel prices range from 111/li (Amigo gasoline station) to 132.80/li (Shell station), unleaded from P85/li (KKK Turbo) to P95.92/li (Caltex), and premium from P85.30/li (KKK) to P105.41/li (Caltex).
The sudden decrease offers a brief sigh of relief for public utility vehicle drivers and farmers in the agricultural hubs of Tarlac who have been grappling with high operating costs.
However, the Department of Energy is already tempering expectations for the coming weeks. Just one day after the President’s announcement, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin issued a cautionary statement regarding the volatility of the global market.
Garin warned of a possible reversal in this downward trend, citing an expected increase in fuel prices for the week starting Monday, April 20. The secretary attributed the potential hike to the ongoing uncertainty and escalating tensions in the Middle East, which continue to destabilize international oil supply chains.
While the “big-time” rollback provides immediate financial breathing room for Tarlaqueños, the DOE remains watchful of the geopolitical situation, suggesting that the current prices at local stations may be the lowest consumers see for some time.
