𝗥𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝘁𝘆: 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀

Quezon City.-- The continued rise in fuel prices is placing an unbearable burden on the Filipino people, driving up the cost of transportation, food, electricity, and other basic goods. Left unchecked, these increases will deepen inequality and further erode the already fragile purchasing power of low- and middle-income households.Government cannot afford to rely solely on market forces in a time of crisis.

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆—but it must be 𝙙𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙫𝙚, 𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙙, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙛𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙫𝙪𝙡𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙨.

In the short term, we call for immediate relief measures: 

• Targeted subsidies for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers, farmers, and fisherfolk, who are among the hardest hit by rising fuel costs;

• Expanded cash assistance for low-income households to cushion the impact of rising prices;

• Stronger regulation and monitoring of oil companies to ensure transparency and prevent excessive profiteering;

• Scrapping or suspension of excise taxes and VAT on fuel during periods of extraordinary price increases;

• Increased support for public transportation, including service contracting and fuel assistance;

• Demand-side measures, including encouraging remote work, carpooling, and reduced non-essential fuel consumption, particularly among higher-income groups.

However, these measures are not enough. The recurring nature of oil price shocks underscores the need for long-term structural reforms:

• Reducing dependence on imported oil by accelerating investments in renewable energy such as solar, wind, and geothermal;

• Developing a reliable and affordable mass transport system, including rail expansion and bus rapid transit, while ensuring that modernization programs do not displace or indebt small operators;

• Establishing strategic fuel reserves to buffer against global supply disruptions;

• Repealing the Oil Deregulation Law because stronger state intervention is necessary;

• Strengthening domestic agriculture and local production systems to minimize the pass-through of fuel costs to food prices;

• Reforming urban planning to reduce dependence on private vehicles and promote walkable, transit-oriented communities;

• Supporting the transition to electric and alternative-fuel transport, backed by adequate subsidies and infrastructure.

At its core, the issue is not simply about fuel prices—it is about economic justice and national resilience. Any government intervention must answer two fundamental questions: in whose behalf, and how? The answer must always be clear—the Filipino people, especially the most vulnerable.

The current crisis should serve as a turning point. Without decisive action, the country will remain exposed to the volatility of global oil markets. With the right policies, however, this moment can be an opportunity to build a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient economy. ###