Filipinos Stay Home: Soaring Fuel Prices Halt Easter Trips

For the first time since the pandemic, many Filipinos are abandoning traditional Easter holiday travel plans due to soaring fuel prices. Hiraya Mendez, a fintech manager, has cancelled her trip to Nueva Ecija province, opting instead for a local getaway near Manila.

Rising diesel and fare costs, exacerbated by the Iran war's impact on global oil prices, are deterring many from making the journey home. Student Kurt Cantuba is also remaining in Manila, citing expensive commute fares. Some travelers who secured flights before the Middle East conflict began on February 28, 2026, consider it their sole vacation for the year, given the significant increase in airfares.

Manila's main airport exhibited lower activity than in previous Easter travel periods. San Miguel Corporation anticipates approximately 1.35 million passengers, a marginal increase from the previous year. Concurrently, the Philippine Coast Guard expects around 3 million passengers through seaports, a figure largely unchanged from a year ago.

In response to the energy crisis, the Philippines declared a national energy emergency in late March 2026. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. implemented a four-day work week for government employees and mandated energy cost reductions. The nation is also seeking alternative fuel sources beyond the Middle East.

Despite these challenges, some Filipinos are undertaking long journeys for the holidays. Agnes Aguilar, a call center worker, is traveling to her hometown in Camarines Norte for the first time in four years to participate in religious activities and family reunions, though she acknowledges it will be some time before her next visit due to high prices.