President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is currently assessing potential adjustments to public transit fares alongside additional financial aid for vulnerable sectors as Middle East tensions continue to drive up fuel costs, Malacañang announced on Wednesday, July 15.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that the President has instructed Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez to evaluate the consequences of the recent fuel price surges and propose solutions to protect both commuters and transport operators while preventing wider inflation.
”Ang nais ng Pangulo ay walang maiwan; kailangan matulungan ang lahat sa tamang pamamaraan at sa balanseng pamamaraan,” she said.
Castro emphasized that the administration is highly aware that climbing fuel costs can trigger a domino effect, leading to higher transit fares and more expensive daily essentials.
”Kapag tumaas ang presyo ng pamasahe, definitely ay tataas din ang mga presyo ng ibang mga produkto,” Castro added.
Part of the ongoing government evaluation includes a petition from the transport group Pasang Masda to implement a previously suspended ₱1 provisional fare hike.
The group revived its appeal after diesel prices jumped by over ₱4 per liter this week, pointing out the severe financial strain the latest hike has placed on public utility vehicle operators.
According to Castro, the government is carefully balancing the transport sector’s concerns with plans to deliver targeted financial assistance to those most affected.
”Kasabay po ito sa pag-aaralan sa ngayon para po tama ang ating pagbibigay ng ayuda sa ating mga kababayan sa transport sector para hindi sila maiwan,” she said.
She reiterated that the administration remains dedicated to shielding consumers while simultaneously developing support measures for transport workers.
The recent spike in pump prices follows renewed volatility in the global oil market, sparked by escalating friction between the United States and Iran, which has raised concerns over potential supply line disruptions in major Middle Eastern shipping routes. This ends a brief period of stable fuel pricing and has sparked fresh anxieties that rising transportation and logistics expenses could drive up overall inflation.
Fuel Tax Relief Decision Still Pending
Castro also clarified that Malacañang has not yet received formal recommendations from the state’s UPLIFT Committee regarding proposals to suspend or reduce excise taxes on fuel.
Earlier, President Marcos tasked his economic team with exploring tax relief options, following the suspension of excise taxes on kerosene and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to buffer against global crude surges. The administration is now studying whether gasoline and diesel could receive similar tax suspensions if global oil prices continue their upward trajectory.
The Palace reiterated its readiness to deploy targeted relief measures if geopolitical friction in the Middle East continues to put upward pressure on fuel.
Existing government interventions have previously included fuel subsidies for farmers, fishers, and public utility drivers, alongside direct cash transfers under the UPLIFT initiative to help disadvantaged families manage rising food and transport costs.