With diesel price increases surging past P5 per liter amid the conflict in the Middle East, major oil firms are set to stagger this week’s scheduled fuel price hikes to soften the blow on consumers.

Following a recent rollback, motorists can expect fuel prices to increase in the second week of the year.

Following mixed adjustments last week, oil companies are set to lower pump prices of petroleum products by as much as P0.85 per liter today.