THE Philippine government joins the country and the entire world in praying for an early and peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.
In a statement from Acting Presidential Spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei Nograles, the Philippines reiterated its position that “war benefits no one, and that it exacts a tragic, bloody toll on the lives of innocent men, women, and children in the areas of conflict.”
The Palace official explained that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has both economic, trade, and human resource implications for the Philippines and the Filipinos. “As we monitor the current situation, every Filipino has the right to know what the government is doing to prepare for any eventuality. President Rodrigo Duterte has given assurances that mitigating measures and contingency plans will be in place as part of the government’s pro-active response to the conflict in Ukraine.”
He said the President convened yesterday, March 1, 2022, several Cabinet members and top officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), and other high-ranking officials, to discuss possible scenarios should the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict continue and escalate.
The President has also approved the recommendations of his Economic Team to “strengthen the country’s domestic economy, stabilize food prices, provide social protection, and explore diplomatic channels to help resolve the conflict.”
With regard to food stability, the Chief Executive approved the recommendations of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to boost local food production. “Kasama na rito ang pagpapataas ng produksyon ng pagkain sa pamamagitan ng pagpapatupad ng Plant, Plant, Plant Part Two, pagpapataas ng rice buffer stock na hindi bababa sa tatlumpung araw, pamamahagi ng tulong pinansyal sa ating mga nagsasaka ng palay, at pagtugon sa tumataas na presyo ng abono o pataba, tulad ng pagbibigay ng fertilizer subsidy at market access through bilateral discussions sa fertilizer-producing countries,” the statement added.
The statement likewise read that the president has already approved the recommendation of the DA to distribute fuel discount vouchers to farmers and fisherfolk as a response to the continuing increase in fuel prices, the increase in production, to conduct extensive research to lessen the impact of prices of feeds, and to provide logistical support such as food mobilization from provinces with bigger production toward cities via tghe Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita, the deployment of Kadiwa mobile vans/trucks and subsidies on transport costs of primary goods.
If needed, the government is also ready to implement the Price Control Law, the statement said.
“We shall likewise continue talks with our partners and heighten negotiations with non-traditional partners to address threats to agricultural exports while improving our digital agricultural infrastructure and systems,” according to Nograles
On the supply of oil, the President approved the recommendations of the Department of Energy (DOE) to implement the P2.5-B Pantawid Pasada, and the P500-M fuel discount program for farmers and fisherfolks. The DOE will continue to monitor the sufficiency in supply and quality and will make sure there will be no short selling, the statement further read.
“For the medium-term, we call on Congress to review the Oil Deregulation Law, particularly provisions on unbundling the price, and the inclusion of the minimum inventory requirements in the law, as well as giving the government intervention powers/authority to intervene when there is a spike and/or prolonged increase of prices of oil products.”
“Also, part of our medium-term measures are building of the strategic petroleum reserve infrastructure, ensuring Minimum Inventory Requirements (MIR) and advocating for energy conservation and efficiency.”
The President, according to Nograles, also approved the recommendations of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to accelerate renewable energy adoption, support investments in Utility Scale Battery Storage to maximize utilization of renewable energy sources, support investments in modern storage facilities for oil and grains to increase within-the-border holding capacity and empower the private sector to help in strategic stockpiling.
Meanwhile, he said the AFP and the PNP gave assurances that troops from the military and police assets stand ready, and that contingencies from both services are prepared for any developments.
He said that the Philippine government continues to appeal for an immediate end to the unnecessary loss of life, and call on the states involved to forge an accord that can help prevent a conflagration that could engulf a world still struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The course of history and the fate of our world will be shaped by the decisions that will be made by its leaders. We are one in prayer, together with all peace-loving citizens, that they be guided by wisdom and a genuine desire to save lives, establish harmony among neighboring nations, and forge a just and lasting peace for humanity,” according to Nograles.