The government is considering additional assistance, including fuel subsidies, for the transport sector as rising global oil prices threaten to increase operating costs and public fares, Malacañang said Wednesday.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Department of Transportation is reviewing fuel prices and possible interventions while assessing their broader impact on commuters, consumers and other sectors.
“Ang nais ng Pangulo ay walang maiwan. Kailangan matulungan ang lahat sa tamang pamamaraan at sa balanseng pamamaraan,” Castro said.
“What the President wants is for no one to be left behind. Everyone must be helped in the right and balanced way,” she added.
Castro said Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez was leading the review of measures to cushion the transport sector from higher fuel costs without placing an excessive burden on the public.
The government is also studying appeals from transport groups to lift the suspension of the provisional ₱1 increase in the minimum fare for public utility vehicles.
“Kailangan na balansehin ang mga pangyayari dahil kapag tumaas ang presyo ng pamasahe, definitely ay tataas din ang mga presyo ng ibang mga produkto,” Castro said.
“There must be a balance because an increase in transport fares could also drive up the prices of goods and other commodities,” she added.
Castro said the Palace had yet to receive an update from the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food and Transport Committee on proposals involving excise taxes on gasoline and diesel.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier approved the suspension of excise taxes on kerosene and liquefied petroleum gas after the Middle East crisis pushed oil prices higher.