TACLOBAN CITY — Motorists from this city are preparing for a significant rise in fuel prices as global crude oil benchmarks indicate potential adjustments in local pump rates.
Early trading data from the Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) on March 3, 2026, suggest kerosene could jump by P13 per liter, diesel by P12 per liter, and gasoline by around P6 per liter.

Local jeepney and bus operators expressed concern over the expected increase, noting that fuel costs already make up the bulk of their daily expenses.

“If diesel goes up by this much, we jeepney operators will struggle to absorb the cost. It can really affect our everyday earnings,” said a local jeepney driver.

“It would have been manageable if fares were increased because the current fares are really low, especially for us bus drivers who have high route boundary payments,” a bus driver added.

Some operators also linked the potential spike to international events. “With the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran, our situation could get worse,” said a driver, referring to tensions in the Middle East that analysts say have influenced global oil supply expectations and trading prices.

The Philippines imports most of its fuel, so fluctuations in global crude oil prices directly affect domestic pump rates.

While drivers call for relief measures, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Region VIII announced via its official social media that qualified beneficiaries of the Fuel Subsidy Program should prepare their subsidy cards. The agency is finalizing program implementation to help transport operators cope with the rising fuel costs.

(ELLA MAE D. SEGUROS, LNU STUDENT INTERN)

TACLOBAN CITY — Thousands of kilograms of corn and vegetable seeds have been delivered to Northern Samar to help farmers recover from recent severe weather disturbances that damaged crops and disrupted food production across the province.
The assistance, coursed through the Northern Samar Provincial Agriculture and Fishery Extension Center (PAFEC), was requested by Northern Samar Second District Rep. Edwin Ongchuan and provided by the Department of Agriculture (DA) through the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI).

The shipment includes more than 3,000 kilograms of corn seeds and about 1,000 packets of assorted vegetable seeds such as pechay, eggplant, okra, patola (sponge gourd), and ampalaya (bitter gourd).

Provincial officials said the seeds will allow farmers to immediately replant damaged areas and restore food production following climate-related impacts that affected their livelihoods.

The Provincial Agriculture Office, headed by Dr. Jose Luis Acompanado, will oversee the distribution to ensure that the most affected farmers across municipalities receive the assistance without delay. Officials stressed that timely intervention is crucial to prevent prolonged downtime in farming activities and to stabilize the local food supply chain.

Ongchuan thanked Agriculture Secretary Francis Tiu Laurel Jr. and BPI Director Glenn Panganiban for the swift response to the province’s request, noting that immediate access to quality seeds is vital for Nortehanon farmers striving to recover income losses.

Provincial authorities said the seed distribution forms part of broader government efforts to strengthen agricultural resilience in disaster-prone areas and support farming communities as they rebuild from the effects of extreme weather events.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ORMOC CITY — Police arrested a 37-year-old ‘sikad-sikad’ driver in Naval, Biliran after he allegedly attempted to set fire to a residence by throwing a gasoline-filled bottle inside the property on Wednesday, March 4.

The suspect, identified by police as alias “Sario,” a resident of Barangay Jubay in Calubian, Leyte, was arrested following a hot pursuit operation shortly after the incident.
Police identified the complainant as alias “Bert,” 25, a self-employed resident of Barangay Santo Rosario in Naval.

According to a report from the Naval Municipal Police Station, the complainant went to the police station around 12:30 p.m. to report an alleged attempted arson that occurred earlier at Jelos Place 1 in Barangay Santo Rosario.

Responding officers immediately proceeded to the scene to verify the report and conduct an investigation.

Initial findings revealed that the suspect allegedly threw a plastic bottle of a soft drink containing gasoline into the compound of Jelos Place 1, specifically near a generator set and an oven inside the complainant’s property.

The incident was reportedly witnessed by several workers in the area, including alias “Rico,” 28, a baker; alias “Jen,” 24, a secretary; and alias “Lyn,” 36, the officer-in-charge of Jelos Place 2. All are residents of Barangay Caray-Caray in Naval.

The complainant also presented to the police the plastic bottle that still contained gasoline.
Police immediately launched a hot pursuit operation, which led to the arrest of the suspect.
Authorities said the suspect was informed of the nature of his arrest and apprised of his constitutional rights in a language he understood.

He was later brought to the Naval Municipal Police Station for proper disposition and the filing of appropriate charges.

(ROBERT DEJON)