MANILA — The Philippine government has begun implementing a series of measures to stabilize fuel supply and cushion the impact of rising prices on consumers and key industries, amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The move comes as inflation accelerated in March, with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reporting a jump to 4.1 percent from 2.4 percent in February. The increase was driven by faster price gains in both food and non-food items.
Non-food inflation surged to 4.9 percent from 2.8 percent, largely due to a spike in private transport costs, which climbed to 31.3 percent from -3.1 percent as fuel prices rose sharply. Food inflation also picked up to 2.8 percent from 1.6 percent, with rice prices returning to inflation at 3.6 percent after more than a year of deflation. Prices of vegetables and fruits, on the other hand, also posted higher increases.
“The government stands ready to address emerging inflation pressures through strategic, well-targeted, and time-bound interventions, particularly in fuel, transport, and food,” notes Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.
Central to the response is the operationalization of Executive Order No. 110, which created the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food and Transport (UPLIFT) Committee tasked with identifying and coordinating key interventions.
To help stabilize fuel supply and temper transport costs, the government has activated an emergency fuel procurement program, securing 165.6 million liters of diesel for delivery through April. Toll rebates for public utility vehicles and cargo trucks are also being rolled out across major expressways.
Authorities are likewise taking steps to safeguard food supply and prevent market disruptions. Anti-hoarding guidelines have been issued to avert artificial shortages, while the expanded P20-per-kilo rice program is now being implemented nationwide. Logistics support has also been deployed to speed up the transport of vegetables from Benguet to Metro Manila, alongside reduced roll-on/roll-off terminal fees for vehicles carrying agricultural goods.
Targeted assistance is also being extended to vulnerable sectors, including public utility vehicle drivers, farmers, and fisherfolk, through service contracting, cash aid, and fuel subsidies.
“Our immediate priority is to ensure the safety of Filipinos abroad and to deploy timely and tangible solutions by providing critical support for the transport sector, commuters and industries, while simultaneously diversifying the energy mix,” Balisacan pointed out.
“The government is firmly committed to ensuring the continuous delivery of services, even as we pursue decisive measures to enhance the resilience of our economy and institutions,” he added.