Senator Bam Aquino on Friday called on the government to provide targeted assistance for middle-income Filipinos as global oil prices continue to rise due to tensions in the Middle East.
Aquino stressed that many in the middle class are often excluded from traditional aid programs despite facing similar economic pressures as lower-income groups.
“Yung mga middle class na sabihin na nating minimum wage earners or may small businesses, they’re above the poverty line and therefore hindi nila nakukuha yung mga ayuda pero nasa delikadong sitwasyon sila,” Aquino said in a television interview.
He warned that the impact of rising fuel costs would eventually ripple through everyday expenses.
“We will see the shocks eventually sa palengke, sa grocery, sa gasoline station, sa sari-sari store. Ito yung masakit talaga. Kailangan iyong gobyerno, mabilis gumalaw,” he said.
Aquino emphasized that assistance must be data-driven and specific to ensure it reaches overlooked sectors, particularly those in the middle-income bracket.
“Kung may mga ayuda na pwedeng targeted, mabigay kaagad. Kung may support for industries, mabigay kaagad. Huwag general, dapat specific,” he added.
He also underscored the importance of supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and transport workers, warning that rising fuel costs could dampen economic activity.
“We need to support our MSMEs. We need to support our transport workers. Napakalaking pondo ang nakalaan sa ayuda. Maybe this is the time na gamitin natin siya. Targeted na paggamit ng ayuda para masigurado natin, yung ekonomiya natin hindi magre-recession,” Aquino said.
Among the possible interventions he cited were fuel subsidies, direct cash aid, and stronger supply chain support, including increased government procurement from small businesses.