Malacañang rejected Senator Win Gatchalian’s claim that the government lacks a sufficient contingency plan to address the impact of the ongoing Middle East crisis.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the administration acted swiftly after the conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States erupted, citing measures to protect overseas Filipino workers and ease the burden of rising fuel prices on citizens.
“Unang putok pa lang noong February 28 ay nagpatawag na ang Pangulo ng meeting upang maisaayos lahat at magtrabaho lahat ang pangangailangan ng ating kababayan. Kinausap na po ang DMW, ang OWWA at DFA so hindi masasabi yung bintang na walang contingency plan,” Castro explained.
She also dismissed Gatchalian’s remarks about poor coordination among agencies, stressing that the public has seen how government offices mobilized to deliver assistance.
Castro added that the administration continues to distribute aid to mitigate the effects of high oil prices, while the Department of Energy is in talks with other countries to secure additional fuel supply.
“Nakikita naman ng publiko kung paano umaksiyon ngayon ang ehekutibo sa pamamagitan ng pamamahagi ng ayuda upang mapagaan kahit paano ang pasanin sa epekto ng mataas na presyo ng langis,” she said.
The Palace maintained that the government’s response remains proactive and coordinated, despite criticisms from lawmakers.