President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called for stronger coordination between national and local governments as the country prepares for the economic impact of the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Speaking during the oath-taking of officers of the Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines (VMLP) at Malacañang on Monday, April 6, Marcos underscored the need for unity in addressing emerging challenges.
“Sana manatili kayong matatag at pursigido sa inyong paglilingkod, lalo na ngayong maraming krisis ang kinakaharap ng bansa dahil sa tensyon na nangyayari sa Gitnang Silangan,” the President said.
He urged local officials to continue supporting their constituents as the government implements measures to cushion the effects of the crisis.
“Patuloy nating gabayan at suportahan ang ating mga mamamayan hanggang sa sama-sama natin malampasan ang mga pagsubok na ito,” he added.
The government has already rolled out assistance for sectors heavily affected by rising fuel costs, including transport workers, farmers, and fisherfolk. Among the measures are a ₱1.28-billion aid package for transport workers, fuel subsidies benefiting over 1.4 million drivers and operators, and 50% fare discounts on LRT-2 and MRT-3.
Additional relief efforts include “Libreng Sakay” programs in major cities and toll discounts for public utility vehicles and food transport services.
To help stabilize food supply, the government will also implement a ₱1 roll-on/roll-off (RORO) terminal fee for vehicles transporting agricultural products starting April 15, a move aimed at lowering logistics costs and easing pressure on food prices.
Malacañang said these measures are part of broader efforts to mitigate the economic impact of global tensions and protect Filipino households from rising costs.