Palace: Gov’t ready to cushion power rate hikes

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma. Photo from https://pcoo.gov.ph/

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang has assured the public that the government is ready to support the people amid the impending power rate increases.

Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. of the Presidential Communications Operations Office said a big portion of the P2.265-trillion budget is allocated for social protection and social safety nets.

“A chunk of our National Budget will go to social protection, including social safety nets for our people, especially those in the lower economic classes,” Coloma said on the state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

Coloma said that the social services part of the budget is aimed at protecting the poor from the debilitating effects of high prices of commodities, including electricity.

He added that the government continues to monitor the effects of price increases for basic services and will adopt measures to alleviate the economic burdens.

“Our economic cluster is monitoring these developments and will adopt the appropriate policies to make sure they do not add to the burden of the people,” Coloma said.

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