Palace: No fuel aid talks yet for private motorists in PH

Malacañang said Tuesday there are no discussions yet on providing fuel subsidies to private motorists as the government works on measures to cushion vulnerable Filipinos from higher oil prices amid the ongoing Middle East crisis.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the government is first implementing measures already announced by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., including assistance for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators, transport fare relief, and financial assistance to low-income families.

“Sa ngayon po nakita po natin at nadinig natin kung ano ang mga programa na nais na ipatupad ng Pangulo. So, isa-isahin muna po ito (For now, we have seen and heard the programs that the President wants to implement, so we will address them one by one),” Castro said in a press briefing.

She said the government is also studying and working on legislation to ease the tax burden on Filipinos, including the proposed expansion of the income tax exemption.

Asked whether fuel assistance could also be extended to private motorists as pump prices rise, Castro said the proposal has not been taken up.

“At sa ngayon po ay hindi pa napag-uusapan iyong sinasabi ninyong fuel subsidy para sa mga pribado na motorista. Hindi po pa siya napag-uusapan sa ngayon (For now, the fuel subsidy you are referring to for private motorists has not yet been discussed. It has not been discussed at this time),” she said.

The government has rolled out targeted measures to cushion the impact of higher oil prices, including fuel assistance for PUV drivers and operators.

These interventions come as the Middle East crisis continues to put pressure on global oil prices.

The Philippines remains heavily dependent on imported crude oil and petroleum products, making local pump prices vulnerable to swings in the international market. Higher fuel costs can also push up transportation, food, and other household expenses.

-Darryl John Esguerra/Philippine News Agency