Poe to gov’t: Prepare subsidies amid looming fuel price hike
(INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Grace Poe on Monday called on the government to expedite the release of subsidies for drivers, farmers, and fisherfolk who may be affected by rising fuel costs due to the Israel-Iran conflict.
“Price hikes hit hard and fast; government intervention might be just as quick,” Poe, who presently sits as the Senate panel on finance chairperson, said in a statement.
“We trust that the amount to be released per beneficiary will be reasonable to help cushion the impact of oil prices,” she added.
Earlier this week, the Department of Energy and Jetti Petroleum estimated that gasoline prices would increase by P3.20 to P3.40 per liter, while diesel prices could rise significantly by P4.90 to P5.10 per liter due to the crisis in the Middle East.
Poe detailed that the 2025 national budget has allocated P2.5 billion in subsidies to cover drivers of public utility vehicles, taxis, ride-hailing services, and delivery platforms, prompting urgent action on the matter.
With P585 million designated for the Department of Agriculture, she emphasized the need for swift support to farmers and fisherfolk who will be adversely affected by the hike.
She also urged concerned agencies to expedite the necessary paperwork to avoid delays in aid distribution. (Ryanna Aquino, Inquirer.net trainee) /gsg
