Bitumen Price in the Philippines Today
Last updated: 2026-10-01
Bitumen Price in the Philippines Today
As of February 2026, the bitumen (asphalt cement) price in the Philippines ranges from PHP 52,000 to PHP 61,000 per metric ton (MT) for bulk delivery, depending on grade (60/70 or 40/50 penetration), port of entry (Manila, Batangas, Cebu), and quantity purchased. In USD terms, this translates to approximately $900–$1,055 per MT landed, inclusive of freight, import duty, and VAT. Small-volume buyers purchasing by the drum (200 kg) typically pay PHP 12,500–PHP 15,000 per drum, equivalent to PHP 62,500–PHP 75,000 per MT—a 20–25% premium over bulk pricing.
This guide breaks down current Philippine bitumen pricing by grade, port, and order size, explains what drives the numbers, and shows how to lock in the best deal before your next paving or waterproofing project.
Current Bitumen Price in the Philippines: Grade-by-Grade Breakdown
Bitumen pricing in the Philippines is not a single number—it varies sharply by penetration grade. Refiners and importers quote 60/70 pen as the market benchmark, while 40/50 pen (harder, used for hot-mix asphalt in high-traffic roads) commands a premium.
| Grade | Bulk Price (PHP/MT) | Bulk Price (USD/MT) | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60/70 pen | 52,000 – 56,500 | 900 – 980 | Roads, pavements, general paving |
| 40/50 pen | 57,000 – 61,000 | 985 – 1,055 | High-traffic highways, airfields |
| 80/100 pen | 50,500 – 54,000 | 875 – 935 | Cold climates, spray sealing |
| PG 64-22 (performance grade) | 58,000 – 63,500 | 1,000 – 1,100 | Premium infrastructure projects |
| Cutback / emulsified (SS-1, CSS-1) | 54,000 – 60,000 | 935 – 1,040 | Tack coats, surface treatments |
Key insight: The spread between the cheapest and most expensive grade is roughly PHP 13,000 per MT (≈25%). Always confirm the exact grade in your BOQ before comparing supplier quotes—cheap quotes often reflect softer grades unsuitable for your application.
What Drives Bitumen Prices in the Philippines Today?
Bitumen in the Philippines is almost 100% imported. Local production is negligible, so domestic prices track three external forces plus local logistics.
Philippine bitumen is priced off the Singapore FOB benchmark (Argus or Platts assessments), which moves with Brent crude. When Brent shifts by $10/barrel, Singapore bitumen typically moves $40–$55/MT, translating to a PHP 2,300–PHP 3,200/MT swing locally within 3–5 weeks.
Charter rates from Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand to Manila or Batangas run $35–$70/MT. During peak construction season (October–May), vessel availability tightens and freight can spike 15–30%.
A PHP 1 movement against the USD changes the landed cost of bitumen by roughly PHP 900–PHP 1,100 per MT. The peso has traded between PHP 56–59/USD over the past 12 months, adding volatility that importers pass through within days.
- Import duty: 0–3% depending on country of origin and trade agreements (ASEAN-origin goods often qualify for reduced rates under ATIGA)
- VAT: 12% on landed value
- Port handling, storage, and trucking to site: PHP 1,800–PHP 3,500/MT in Luzon; PHP 3,500–PHP 5,500/MT for Visayas and Mindanao
| Cost Component | Share of Landed Price | Typical Amount (PHP/MT) |
|---|---|---|
| FOB base price | 55–62% | 31,000 – 36,000 |
| Ocean freight & insurance | 6–9% | 3,200 – 5,000 |
| Import duty | 0–3% | 0 – 1,700 |
| VAT (12%) | 9–11% | 5,500 – 6,500 |
| Local logistics & handling | 8–12% | 4,500 – 7,000 |
| Importer margin & overhead | 5–8% | 3,000 – 4,800 |
Bottom line: About 38–45% of the retail price you pay has nothing to do with the bitumen itself—it's freight, taxes, logistics, and margin. That is where negotiation and sourcing strategy can save you real money.
Bitumen Price by Region and Port: Manila vs. Batangas vs. Cebu vs. Mindanao
Location is the single biggest swing factor after grade. Port of discharge determines both freight leg and inland trucking distance.
| Port / Region | 60/70 pen Bulk Price (PHP/MT) | Premium vs. Manila | Transit Time from Singapore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manila (Port of Manila / North Harbor) | 52,000 – 55,000 | Baseline | 5–7 days |
| Batangas | 52,500 – 55,500 | +1–2% | 6–8 days |
| Subic / Clark corridor | 53,000 – 56,000 | +2–3% | 6–9 days |
| Cebu | 54,500 – 57,500 | +4–5% | 8–10 days |
| Iloilo / Bacolod | 55,500 – 58,500 | +6–8% | 9–11 days |
| Davao / Cagayan de Oro | 57,000 – 61,000 | +9–12% | 10–13 days |
Practical takeaway:
- If you're in Luzon, buy bulk from Manila or Batangas suppliers and arrange your own trucking—savings of PHP 800–1,500/MT are common versus delivered pricing.
- If you're in Visayas or Mindanao, negotiate a CIF-to-nearest-port quote with a distributor holding regional stock. Importing a single 20-ft container directly usually doesn't pencil out below 100–150 MT total volume.
- Watch transshipment fees. Some quotes routed via Cebu add PHP 1,200–2,000/MT in double-handling.
Bulk vs. Drum vs. Pail: How Order Size Changes Your Price
One of the most common questions we get: "Why is drum bitumen so much more expensive than bulk?" The answer is packaging, handling, and evaporation losses.
| Purchase Format | Typical Volume | Price (PHP/MT equivalent) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulk (tanker truck, 20–30 MT) | 20 MT+ | 52,000 – 61,000 | Road contractors, HMA plants |
| ISO tank / flexitank (20–24 MT) | 20 MT+ | 53,500 – 62,000 | Importers, distributors |
| Drum (200 kg, new steel drum) | 1–100 MT | 62,500 – 75,000 | Small paving jobs, waterproofing |
| Pail (20 kg) | Under 1 MT | 85,000 – 110,000 | Retail, repairs, small roofing |
Savings math:
- Moving from pails to drums: save ~25–30%
- Moving from drums to bulk: save a further ~18–25%
- A contractor consuming 50 MT/month who switches from drums to bulk saves roughly PHP 650,000–PHP 900,000 per month
Minimum order thresholds to negotiate bulk pricing:
- 20 MT — standard tanker load; expect list price
- 100 MT — 2–4% volume discount
- 500 MT — 4–7% discount plus locked pricing for 30–60 days
- 2,000 MT+ (annual contract) — 7–12% discount with indexed or fixed pricing
2026 Price Trend and 30-Day Forecast
Bitumen prices in the Philippines have moved within a PHP 9,000/MT band over the past 12 months. Here's the recent trajectory:
| Period | 60/70 pen (PHP/MT) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 2025 | 48,500 – 52,000 | — |
| Q2 2025 | 50,000 – 53,500 | +3.5% |
| Q3 2025 | 51,500 – 55,000 | +3.0% |
| Q4 2025 | 53,000 – 57,000 | +3.5% |
| Q1 2026 (current) | 52,000 – 56,500 | –1.5% |
30-day forecast (March 2026): Expect PHP 52,000–PHP 57,500/MT, with a 60% probability of flat-to-slightly-up pricing driven by:
- Seasonal demand pickup ahead of the summer construction window (March–May)
- Firm Brent crude in the $78–$84/barrel range
- Peso stability around PHP 57–58/USD
- Bullish risk: A Brent move above $88 could push local prices up PHP 1,500–2,500/MT within 3 weeks.
- Bearish risk: Weaker Chinese demand or a stronger peso could shave PHP 1,000–1,800/MT off current quotes.
Procurement tip: If your project needs 200 MT or more, request fixed-price validity for 45–60 days rather than accepting spot quotes. In a flat-to-up market, that optionality is worth PHP 3–5 million on a 2,000 MT buy.
FAQ: Bitumen Price in the Philippines Today
1. What is the current bitumen price in the Philippines per ton?
As of February 2026, bulk 60/70 pen bitumen costs PHP 52,000–PHP 56,500 per metric ton, while 40/50 pen runs PHP 57,000–PHP 61,000 per MT. Prices include landed cost, duty, and VAT but exclude site delivery unless quoted DDP.
2. Is bitumen cheaper in drums or bulk?
Bulk is significantly cheaper—about 18–25% less per metric ton than drums. Drums cost PHP 62,500–PHP 75,000/MT versus PHP 52,000–PHP 61,000/MT for bulk tanker delivery, because of packaging, handling, and residual product losses.
3. Why is bitumen more expensive in Mindanao than Manila?
Mindanao prices carry a 9–12% premium because of longer ocean freight, transshipment through Cebu or Manila, and inland trucking. A Davao buyer pays roughly PHP 57,000–PHP 61,000/MT for 60/70 pen versus PHP 52,000–PHP 55,000/MT in Manila.
4. Will bitumen prices go up in the Philippines in 2026?
The 30-day outlook is flat to modestly higher, with 60/70 pen likely landing between PHP 52,000 and PHP 57,500/MT in March 2026. A sustained Brent move above $88/barrel would be the main upside trigger.
5. What is the minimum order for bulk bitumen pricing in the Philippines?
Most suppliers quote bulk pricing from 20 MT (one tanker truck), with meaningful discounts starting at 100 MT (2–4%) and 500 MT (4–7%). Annual contracts of 2,000 MT+ can unlock 7–12% savings and fixed-price terms.
Lock In Your Best Bitumen Price Before the Market Moves
Bitumen prices in the Philippines can shift PHP 2,000–3,000 per MT in a single month—on a 500 MT order, that's PHP 1–1.5 million in avoidable cost. Before you accept any quote, run the numbers on freight, duty, VAT, and inland logistics so you know exactly what you're paying for.
Use the 6Tar cost calculator to compare landed bitumen costs by grade, port, and order volume in seconds. Get a transparent per-MT breakdown, see your bulk-vs-drum savings, and negotiate from a position of data—not guesswork.