“Sana lahat.”
This was the comment of Filipinos who commended a gas station owner’s initiative to roll back the price of its diesel products following a significant price increase in fuel prices in the market.
On Monday, March 16, Anthony Pangilinan, a management consultant and speaker and the husband of actress Maricel Laxa, announced that the gas station they manage, Shell South Forbes in Silang, Cavite, will cut the price of diesel by P3 per liter from its regular price starting today, March 17.
Diesel is the fuel used by vehicles with heavy-duty engines, such as sports utility vehicles, buses, trucks and ships.
It has seen the biggest price increase per liter this week among the petroleum products.
Last week, diesel users were also the most affected, with prices per liter increasing by P17.50 to P24.25.
Meanwhile, Anthony said the initiative was the idea of his son, actor Donny Pangilinan, whom he called “our partner.”
“Assessed fuel prices and its effect on our business, but more importantly, our community,” he said on a Facebook post.
The celebrity patriarch admitted that Donny’s suggestion “didn’t make sense ‘numbers-wise,’” but was “100% in sync” with their mission to “support those who need it most in the community.”
“Will keep it running for as long as we are able. Let’s all do what we can, while we can, for as long as we are able,” Anthony said, adding that the initiative applies to all diesel products.
The post has garnered 68,000 likes and reactions, 6,600 shares, and almost 560 comments from Filipinos, with most commending the move as fuel prices per liter continue to rise significantly for the second week amid tensions in the Middle East.
“Such a noble act from a businessman. Thank you, sir Anthony!” an online user commented.
“Sana lahat ganito ang heart ng may-ari ng mga may gasolinahan… God bless your heart, Donny Pangilinan and Sir Anthony Pangilinan,” another Pinoy wrote.
“Small Gestures, Big Impact!” a different Facebook user commented.
“The goodness of humanity shines during its darkest times. Thank you for setting an example,” another said.
“Hindi madali to be considerate, especially in times of crisis na lahat ay affected. But, they did. Habang nagtataasan na presyo sa iba, ibinaba pa nila ‘yong sa station nila. Grabe lang,” a different Facebook user wrote.
“Siyempre, not everyone has the capacity to do this. Hindi lahat kaya i-absorb ‘yong consequences or losses nito. At maaaring sa ibang perspective ay hindi rin ito ‘enough’. Pero, still, it’s a bold move that they’ve chosen to do to somehow help. They are reminders that people who choose goodness exist,” the user added.
“Sana lahat ganyan ang mindset, especially sa mga leader ng ating bansa. Big Salute po, sir Pangilinan and Fam,” another Pinoy commented.
“Sana lahat ng gas station owner like you. God bless,” a different Facebook user said.
For the second consecutive week, fuel companies such as Shell have increased the prices of their petroleum products per liter, with diesel rising by as much as P23.9, gasoline by as much as P16.6, and kerosene by as much as P6.9.
The increase is being implemented at a staggered rate from March 17 to March 19 to cushion the impact on motorists.
The Department of Energy said diesel prices per liter could rise by as much as P114 this week, based on its estimates.
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin noted that pump prices may be higher in remote areas due to additional transportation costs.
“Kapag dumating ka na, halimbawa sa Batanes, mas malaki ang transport costs nun and some of them are independent gas stations, so may sarili silang computation. Magulo ang pricing dahil deregulated ang industry,” she said in a press conference.
The price hikes of the petroleum products are a result of the tension in the Middle East, as oil suppliers face difficulties shipping their products due to the military attacks involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
The Strait of Hormuz, the waterway through which a fifth of the world’s oil output normally flows, had previously been closed off by Iran. It is now open, except for the US and its allies, the country said.
Asia also relies heavily on the waterway, with more than 80% of crude oil shipped through the strait bound for the continent as of 2025.
The US and Israel are striking Iran, with both nations aiming to curtail Iran’s nuclear program.
