Baguio City council tackles high fuel prices

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February 17, 2026 | 12:00am

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The City Council is stepping up efforts to address fuel prices that remain higher here than in nearby provinces, approving nine resolutions aimed at protecting consumers and local businesses.

The measures, passed on Feb. 9, push for greater price transparency, stricter monitoring of gas stations and closer coordination with national agencies.

Councilors noted that gasoline and diesel prices in Baguio are often higher compared to the costs in La Union and other neighboring areas.

The council is urging oil companies to align prices with regional averages as it asked the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Philippine Competition Commission to review the pricing practices.

Regular pump inspections and calibration checks to ensure motorists get the right amount, aside from the creation of a local fuel price monitoring task force to track prices on a monthly basis, were proposed.

The council is also studying the creation of a city-owned fuel depot and checking whether gas stations are fully compliant with business tax rules.

During a forum called by Councilor Edison Bilog, Caltex representatives said local prices follow margins set by the oil firm’s head office.

The DOE said higher prices in Baguio are linked to supply and logistics costs as well as market conditions and demand and are not necessarily a result of overpricing.

The agency recommended improving storage, boosting competition and strengthening price monitoring to narrow the gap.