CEBU CITY, Philippines — Global oil prices have significantly increased amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, prompting the country’s Department of Energy (DOE) to push for nationwide conservation efforts.
In an advisory dated March 3, 2026, DOE Secretary Sharon Garin called on public entities to cut fuel use by 10 percent under the Government Energy Management Program. The measures apply to private vehicles, PUVs and trucks.
The DOE has listed fuel efficiency and energy conservation practices for the public including the following:
Regular vehicle maintenance
A clogged air filter cuts engine efficiency by up to 10 percent, while worn spark plugs and dirty fuel injectors add another 5 to 15 percent excess consumption. Neglected PUVs or trucks can waste ₱2,000 to ₱5,000 monthly compared to well-maintained units. Using the correct engine oil viscosity reduces friction and saves 1 to 2 percent fuel; paired with timely tune-ups, costs recover in 1 to 2 months through savings.
Route planning, traffic avoidance
Stop-and-go urban traffic doubles fuel consumption compared to free-flowing roads. GPS routing to dodge congestion saves 10 to 20 percent for those delivery trucks and PUVs situated in Metro Manila and other cities. Consolidating deliveries on optimized, off-peak routes cuts cold-start waste, when engines guzzle the most in the first 3 to 5 minutes.
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Avoiding hard braking / aggressive driving
Aggressive driving boosts consumption by 15-40 percent over smooth habits; car owners lose around ₱1,392 to ₱3,712 monthly, buses and trucks up to ₱12,480. Smooth, anticipatory driving of coasting early and skipping sudden acceleration eliminates braking losses at no extra cost.
Speed management / cruise control
Fuel use spikes above 80 km/h from drag; 90 km/h versus 110 saves approximately 15 percent, which is about 15 liters weekly (₱780) for 500 km truck runs. Cruise control on highways evens speed for 5 to 10 percent savings, ideal for long-haul trucks and buses.
Correct tire pressure
Under-inflated tires raise consumption by up to 3 percent; every 1 PSI below recommended adds approximately 0.2 percent waste, costing car owners around ₱209 monthly and trucks up to ₱702. Proper inflation extends tire life 10-15 percent, cutting replacements and downtime.
Eliminating unnecessary idling
Idling yields zero movement but 100 percent fuel waste. A car loses approximately ₱1,044 monthly for 1 hour daily; jeepneys at terminals, ₱120 to ₱4,680 for 2-3 hours. Turn off during stops over 1 minute; modern engines need no warm-up beyond 30-60 seconds.
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Combine errands in one trip
Plan routes to merge short trips into one, saving fuel. Schedule off-peak to cut traffic idling. Carpool whenever possible to lessen road traffic.
Load of cargo management
Every 100 kg unnecessary load hikes car consumption at approximately 0.5 percent more for trucks; ditching roof racks or boxes saves 2 to 5 percent via less frag. Full loads per trip beat partial runs, slashing delivery costs; overloads speed tire and road wear.
Adopting these DOE-recommended practices guarantees substantial savings for households, PUV operators, and businesses amid rising oil prices. Regular maintenance and smart driving alone can reclaim thousands monthly in savings, while simple habits like observing proper tire pressure and less idling deliver immediate gains with minimal efforts.
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