By Emmanuel T. Erediano
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
FUEL prices continue to rise as the war in the Middle East reaches its third week, pushing Brent crude oil to $112.19 per barrel and WTI crude oil to $98.23 per barrel in the world market.
On Friday, Mobil Oil Marianas raised its regular gasoline price to $6.61 a gallon from $6.36, Supreme gasoline to $7.06 a gallon from $6.81, and diesel to $8.78 a gallon from $8.28. Shell Marianas has followed suit.
On Tinian, regular gasoline was $8.73 a gallon and diesel $11.18. On Rota, regular gasoline was $7.74 a gallon and diesel $9.42.
Despite the increases, some residents say the changes have not affected them directly. Jun Galang, a warehouse worker who rides a bicycle to work daily, said the hikes have not been an issue. “All I have to worry about is whether grocery prices go up,” he said. “So far, [the prices of] rice and cooking oil haven’t changed. Riding a bicycle almost every day makes me feel good.”
Denver Amog, a store displayer who also does not own a car, said he only takes taxis to work. “The $5 fare is already within my budget and hasn’t gone up so far,” he said. “But with these continued increases in gasoline prices, I am bracing for a possible fare hike.”
Federal action
Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., the CNMI’s delegate to the U.S. Congress, Kimberlyn King-Hinds, said she has initiated discussions with the U.S. Department of Energy to address fuel costs in the CNMI and across Pacific territories.
In a letter to Energy Secretary Chris Wright, she outlined “the growing burden on our community.”
“By the time you are reading this, prices may be even higher. They are well above national averages and are not driven by global conditions alone. They reflect structural challenges tied to our small, import-dependent market and limited purchasing scale,” King-Hinds said.
She noted that rising fuel costs are already affecting electricity bills, transportation expenses, and the overall cost of living. “I also raised the need to explore practical solutions, including whether a federally coordinated approach could improve fuel procurement and supply stability. This is an ongoing conversation, but one that needs to happen. I will keep working with federal partners to bring down costs and provide relief for families and businesses in the CNMI,” she said.
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
