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Clark Development Corporation suspended the P1.00 per liter regulatory fee on all petroleum fuel deliveries entering the freeport
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CDC president Atty. Agnes Devanadera announced a two-month suspension under Memorandum Circular No. 110, s. 2026
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The circular cites immediate economic stability and business continuity for over 200 locators without waiving long-term government revenue
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Following arrival of a major fuel shipment, the CDC and Petron Corporation implemented a tiered allocation system — categorizing locators as Essentials, Support Services, or Others — to ensure critical operations remain fueled while allowing other stations to reopen once they secure independent supplies
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CDC plans to hold a follow-up townhall meeting in the coming weeks to reassess the suspension and provide updates on the zone’s fuel inventory
Clark Development Corporation (CDC) has suspended the P1.00 per liter regulatory royalty fee on all petroleum fuel deliveries entering the Clark Freeport Zone to protect local jobs and maintain business continuity amid supply fluctuations.
The suspension, which took effect on April 1, is slated to run for an initial period of two months, the CDC said in a press release.
The move comes as a direct response to rising operational costs facing the zone’s numerous locators and workforce.
CDC President and CEO Atty. Agnes Devanadera announced the measure during an online town hall meeting on April 6 attended by more than 200 business representatives.
Devanadera emphasized that while the government is not permanently waiving its revenue or its regulatory oversight, the immediate priority is economic stability.
“The suspension is intended to help ease operating costs and support business continuity,” she said, noting that the board approved the measure under Memorandum Circular No. 110, s. 2026.
Securing supply
The CDC is also managing the allocation of fuel supply of fuel with Devanadera confirming that Petron Corporation has committed to prioritize Clark locators following the arrival of a significant fuel shipment from Russia at the Petron refinery.
To ensure the most critical sectors remain operational, Petron has established a tiered allocation system:
1. Essentials: High-priority industries and emergency services
2. Support Services: Critical logistics and infrastructure
3. Others: General business and administrative operations.
While Petron is currently the primary supplier with stock available at its freeport stations, Devanadera clarified that other fuel stations within the zone are permitted to operate as soon as they secure their own independent supplies.
As the zone navigates these energy challenges, Atty. Noelle Mina Meneses, VP for Business Development, urged companies to adopt flexible operational models.
The CDC is encouraging locators to implement work-from-home setups where applicable, compressed work weeks to reduce commuting frequency, and/or data-sharing via ongoing surveys to help the CDC accurately forecast fuel requirements.
Despite the fuel pressure, the CDC assured the public that Clark Loop fares and routes will remain unchanged to protect commuters and daily laborers.
The current volatility has also accelerated the freeport’s shift toward renewable energy.
Atty. Gloria Victoria Yap-Taruc, VP for Legal Affairs, detailed a roadmap for “energy resilience” that moves away from a total reliance on liquid fuels.
The strategy includes fast-tracking solar rooftop installations, expanding net-metering programs, and building out infrastructure for electric vehicle charging stations.
The CDC plans to hold a follow-up townhall meeting in the coming weeks to reassess the suspension and provide updates on the zone’s fuel inventory.
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