‘Farmers, fisherfolk can buy fuel in portable containers’

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March 28, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Amid surging fuel prices and to prevent hoarding, the Department of Energy (DOE) has allowed farmers and fisherfolk to use portable containers to purchase petroleum products.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. yesterday said the DOE assured him that farmers and fisherfolk can use containers such as jerry cans and drums to buy fuel.

Tiu Laurel said the move is in compliance with regulations intended to prevent hoarding, and ensures equitable distribution of fuel amid the national energy emergency.

He said the DOE has issued a public notice regarding the use of fuel-grade containers.

“This includes fuel purchases for agricultural machinery such as tractors and irrigation pumps as well as fishing vessels and marine equipment that require fuel delivery in docks or shorelines,” Tiu Laurel said.

The energy department said that such transactions must adhere to a DOE circular outlining safety and compliance standards for appropriate containers.

Buyers are required to present proof of operational necessity such as business permits and certifications or purchase orders validating their fuel needs.

“Our farmers and fisherfolk are assured of continuous access to fuel needed for their operations,” Tiu Laurel said.

The DA said that monitoring teams composed of local government units and members of the police have been deployed in gasoline stations to ensure compliance with anti-hoarding laws and fuel management policies.

“Inspectors are tasked to observe fuel inventory levels, daily sales volume and unusual purchase patterns including bulk transactions or repeated purchases within a short timeframe,” the DA said.

“While large-volume purchases are not automatically considered hoarding, authorities are required to verify the legitimacy of such transactions,” it added.

The DA said fuel stations may impose temporary purchase limits per vehicle to prevent stockpiling and ensure fair access to available supply.

“However, the DOE stressed that essential sectors including agriculture and fishery must be prioritized during disruptions,” the DA said.

It said the DOE wants to strike a balance between maintaining supply stability and supporting key industries.

The DA urged the public to report suspicious fuel-related activities through official government reporting platforms.