Gov’t preparing fuel subsidy amid Middle East conflict — DOTr

The government is preparing fuel subsidy for motorists amid the threat of an oil price hike due to the ongoing Middle East war. Photo by Jam Sta Rosa / AFP. PHILIPPINES-TRAFFIC

MANILA, Philippines — The government is preparing to roll out the fuel subsidy for motorists amid the threat of an oil price hike due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, a transportation official said on Monday.

Transportation Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Mon Ilagan, in a public briefing, said they are expediting the finalization of the fuel subsidy guidelines to ensure the aid can be properly distributed when needed.

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He added that the P2.5-billion fuel subsidy program had already received certification from the Department of Energy.

“The DOTr [Department of Transportation], the LTFRB [Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board], and other government agencies are already on standby as directed by President Bongbong Marcos Jr., and we guarantee that all the guidelines are currently being finalized,” Ilagan, speaking in Filipino, said at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing.

Public utility vehicle drivers and their operators who qualify for the subsidy will be included in a list to be forwarded to regional directors for verification and certification.

“Secretary (Vince) Dizon already gave instructions to the LTFRB last week that there should be no fare increase for now so that our commuters won’t be affected, as we are prioritizing the release of the fuel subsidy. That is the request and directive of our Secretary regarding this matter,” said Ilagan.

Domino effect

Meanwhile, in a separate briefing on the same day, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro warned that the ongoing unrest in Iran and Israel could trigger other crises beyond a surge in oil prices.

“This will have a domino effect because even if our drivers receive fuel subsidies for the benefit of commuters, it’s inevitable that the impact will also be felt in logistics and trading,” she said in Filipino.

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“So, that is what we are praying for—that we can avoid this and find a proper solution so that our fellow Filipinos will not have to bear too much hardship due to the ongoing tension between Israel and Iran,” she added.

Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos is set to meet with his economic team on Monday or Tuesday to discuss the government’s response to the situation in the Middle East. /mr