Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Jan Almario Chan has joined calls to temporarily reduce or suspend excise taxes on oil imports to shield Filipino consumers from looming fuel price hikes.
Chan said granting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. temporary authority or emergency powers to implement short-term tax relief would be a practical response to ongoing tensions in the Middle East, a key source of global crude oil.
“Given the global situation, this is something we should seriously consider, especially since projections already point to possible fuel price increases in the coming weeks,” Chan said.
The first-term lawmaker warned that sharp increases in oil prices could trigger broader economic effects, including higher transportation fares, rising electricity costs, and increased prices of basic commodities.
“When oil prices rise, it creates a domino effect—transport fares go up, electricity costs increase, and even the prices of basic goods climb,” he explained.
Chan emphasized that government must remain proactive in shielding consumers from external shocks in the global oil market, while ensuring that any tax relief measure remains targeted and temporary.
“The priority is to cushion the impact on ordinary Filipinos if global developments push fuel prices higher,” he added.