Middle East conflict drives up fuel costs, crushing Filipino street food vendors

Street food vendors in the Philippines are reeling from rising liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices, which have surged nearly 83% since conflict erupted in the Middle East. The war's impact on global energy markets, including disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, has triggered sharp inflation in the import-dependent archipelago, hitting working-class food sellers hardest. Vendors are now forced to raise prices or cut costs by rationing fuel, shrinking their already slim profits. Many customer